YBREAK SERIES
July-Sept./1980
dult Sabbath School Lessons
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AUSTRALASIAN DIVISION OF
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
148 FOX VALLEY ROAD, WAHROONGA, N.S.W. 2076 • PHONE: 48 1061
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
• CABLES: "ADVENTIST" SYDNEY • TELEX: 22064
Dear Fellow Sabbath School Members,
It is a privilege to bring to you news of an exciting new development in the
Australasian Division. In the rapidly developing island nations of the South
Pacific in recent years, the Church has experienced a thrilling increase. A
vital part of this growth has been its educational system to train its work-
ers and to provide our young people with the opportunity of a Christian
education. However, the facilities that have served so well in the past are
not adequate for the needs of the future, and so the Division Committee has
taken action to establish a new senior college to enable our youth in all the
countries of the South Pacific to obtain an education at a senior level in
our own college.
One thousand acres has been secured in Papua New Guinea near the nation's.
capital, Port Moresby, on which to establish the College. This property is
admirably adapted to meet the requirements of such a college. Several
hundred acres of arable land and a bountiful supply of water will ensure
that this college will be developed in harmony with the blueprint for our
educational institutions.
Within the Australasian Division there are many Thirteenth Sabbath projects,
hospitals and schools, which testify to the generosity of our Sabbath School
members around the world. Over the years they have continued to be a bless-
ing as they have fulfilled the purposes for which they have been established.
We would like to thank you for what you have done in the past and we look
forward with confidence to what you will do this coming Thirteenth Sabbath.
Yours sincerely,
K.S. Parmenter,
President
1—A.L. 3-80
Witten fori
t fie quer/tare
I
r
1
yI
L..
SAINT UNDER STRESS by Norval Pease, Ph.D.
Why do the innocent suffer? Is there meaning in pain?
Does God send suffering to develop character? How
should we react to suffering? These questions and more
were on the author's mind when he wrote this volume. He
leads us through the book of Job, uncovering with honest
examination God's answers to our human distress. (Dr.
Pease is author of the section on Job in the
S.D.A. Bible
Commentary.)
This book, unique as it is, is an essay for each day's study of
the Sabbath School lessons for this quarter. A must for
each one to have and to study.
Available at your local Adventist Book Center, or order
through your church lay activities secretary. U.S. $4.95.
Brought to you by Pacific Press
DAYBREAK
SERIES
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (USPS 702-480) / No. 341 / July-September, 1980
Contn[s
1.
A Man God Trusted
2.
When Disaster Struck
3.
The First Dialogue
4.
The Second Dialogue
5.
The Third Dialogue
6.
True Wisdom
7.
Suffering as Discipline
8.
Getting Acquainted With God
9.
A Happy Ending
10.
The Problem of Pain
11.
God the Healer
12.
Why Some Are Not Healed
13.
The Sufferings of Jesus
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department
of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons
is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which
serve as consulting editors.
Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20012
Lesson Author: Norval F. Pease
Editor: W. Richard Lesher
Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore
Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat
Art and Design: Pacific Press
Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this quarterly are as
follows:
NASB. From
New American Standard Bible,
copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971,
1973, 1975. Used by permission.
NEB. From
The New English Bible,
copyright © by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics
of the Cambridge University Press, New York City.
NIV. From the
New International Version of the New Testament,
copyright © 1973 by New York Bible Society
International. Used by permission.
Phillips. From
The New Testament in Modern English,
Revised Edition, copyright © 1958, 1959, 1960, 1972, by
J. B. Phillips. Used by permission of The Macmillan Company and Collins Publishers.
RSV. From the
Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1946 (renewed © 1973), 1952, and '1171, by the
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by
permission.
Braille lessons available. See page 112.
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific
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Copyright 1980 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
We must drink daily from the eternal well of God's
Word.
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons will help the
spiritually thirsty to fill their cup and keep it full.
JOB, PAIN, AND HEALING
Introduction
This quarter we will seek answers to a problem that has plagued man from the very
beginning of time: Why suffering? In the first nine lessons we will study passages
from the classic treatment of this topic—the book of Job. This is the first time that Job
has been studied in the Sabbath School lessons. The author of these lessons is also
the author of the comments on the book of Job in the
S.D.A. Bible Commentary.
The book of Job presents some difficulties to the modern reader. Many verses in
the King James Version are hard to understand because they reflect obscurities in the
Hebrew manuscripts. Modern speech translations have endeavored to make these
obscure passages easier to understand. For this reason it is highly recommended
that the student have access to a modern speech translation. The Revised Standard
Version is very helpful. Obscure passages are noted in the footnotes, so the reader is
aware of translation problems. Job, in the Good News Bible (TEV), is colorful and
easy to ,read.
Another problem in reading Job is the great amount of repetition in the three cycles
of speeches of Job and his friends. These lessons have sought to simplify this
problem by selecting key passages for special study. It is strongly advised that the
student read the entire text as suggested in the assignments for Further Study.
A brief outline of the book may help to keep the lessons in perspective:
I.
Prose prelude (1:1 to 2:13)
II.
The dialogues between Job and his friends (3:1 to 31:40)
III.
The speeches of Elihu (32:1 to 37:24)
IV.
God's answer (38:1 to 41:34)
V.
Prose postlude (42:1-17)
The following paragraph from the
S.D.A. Bible Commentary
may provide a spring-
board for our study:
"This is the story of a man finding his way back to normal life after a series of
terrible, unexplainable reverses. The elements in the background that make the
situation dramatic are (1) the contrast between Job's prosperity and his degradation,
(2) the suddenness of his calamity, (3) the problem posed by the philosophy of
suffering common in his day, (4) the cruelty of his friends, (5) the depth of his
discouragement, (6) the gradual ascent to trust in God, (7) the dramatic appearance
of God, (8) the repentance of Job, (9) the humiliation of his friends, and (10) the
restoration of Job."—Volume 3, p. 494.
Four Adventist sources on Job may be helpful to the student:Job
and the Mysteries
of Wisdom,
an analysis of the book by Paul T. Gibbs;
The Grandeur of Job,
a series of
sermonettes by George T. Dickinson;
The Problem of Human Suffering,
by Paul
Heubach; and pages 493 to 612 of volume 3 of the
S.D.A. Bible Commentary. The
Problem of Pain,
a popular book by the well-known and capable religious writer, C. S.
Lewis, may also be helpful.
Lessons 10 through 12 in the quarterly consider three aspects of suffering in a
modern garb--"The Problem of Pain," "The Healing of the Sick," "Why Some Are
Not Healed." The final lesson of the quarter considers the sufferings of Jesus and the
symbols which He gave to His followers which remind them of His experience in
suffering.
7
LESSON 1 June 29 to July 5
I A Morn EaDof 4nu5tacil
"There was a man in the land of Uz,
yhose name was Job; and that man
yas perfect and upright, and one that
eared God, and eschewed evil" (Job
:1).
The book of Job is the story of a man.
t is biography at its best, penned by
doses during his years of shepherding
n Midian.
"As an educator no part of the Bible
s of greater value than are its
)iographies. These biographies differ
rom all others in that they are
absolutely true to life. It is impossible
or any finite mind to interpret rightly,
n all things, the workings of another.
Jone but He who reads the heart, who
liscerns the secret springs of motive
Ind action, can with absolute truth
lelineate character, or give a faithful
Acture of a human life. En God's word
done is found such
lelineation."—Education, p. 146.
The man Job is more than an
?mbodiment of human suffering. His
;rief was an episode in a long life of
;oodness. The opening verse of the
)ook introduces us to this man and
;ives us a glimpse of his character.
First, the text tells us that he was
'perfect." "This word does not
iecessarily imply absolute
inlessness. It signifies, rather,
:ompleteness, integrity, sincerity, but
n a relative sense. The man who is
perfect' in the sight of God is the man
who has reached the degree of
Jevelopment that Heaven expects of
aim at any given time. The Hebrew
word
tam
is equivalent to the Greek
eleios,
which is often translated
perfect' in the NT but which is better
ranslated 'full grown' or
mature.'
"—S.D.A. Bible
:ommentary,
vol. 3, p. 499. Job's later
experiences revealed that he had not
-eached the ultimate of character; he
was a mature but a growing child of
God.
Second, the text says he was
"upright." The word means
"straight," "level," "just," "right."
There was nothing dishonest or
reprehensible in this man's life-style.
Third, the text says he "feared
God." He was not an Israelite. He had
not enjoyed the background of divine
revelation through Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, but he knew the true God
and worshiped Him.
Finally, Job "eschewed evil." The
Good News Bible translates it well:
"He was a good man, careful not to do
anything evil" (Job 1:1, TEV). This
characterization was not just the
opinion of the author of the book.
When the Lord accosted Satan, He
said, "Hast thou considered my
servant Job, that there is none like him
in the earth, a perfect and an upright
man, one that feareth God, and
escheweth evil?" (Job 1:8).
The character of Job cannot be fully
appreciated without reading chapters
29 through 31. These chapters recall
Job's evaluation of his own life before
misfortune struck. He tells us of his
manner of life in those happy days of
his prosperity. And we have every
reason to believe that his
self-evaluation was correct. Therefore
we will study chapters 29 through 31 in
this lesson to develop some of the
characteristics of this great and good
man as they are reflected in his
reminiscences.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
A Man Respected
(Job 29:8-11)
2.
Humble and Honest
(Job 31:5-8)
3.
Faithful to His Wife
(Job 31:9, 10)
4.
Concerned About the Poor
(Job 31:16-22)
5.
Not Ruined by Riches
(Job 31:24-28)
6.
Loving His Enemies
(Job 31:29, 30)
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Sunday
June 29
Part 1
How was Job regarded by the people of his day?
A MAN
RESPECTED
"The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged
arose and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid
their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and
their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear
heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it
gave witness to me" (Job 29:8-11).
Job not only had wealth; he also had influence as a result of
his honest, loving wife. Referring to this passage, Ellen White
says: "God has given in His Word a picture of a prosperous
man—one whose life was in the truest sense a success, a man
whom both heaven and earth delighted to
honor."—Edudation,
p. 142. Too many people seek to substitute power and posses-
sions for the influence of a holy life.
What are some of the characteristics of Job that gained for
him the respect of neighbors and friends? Job 29:12-16.
If a man has a right relation with God, he will have a right
relationship with his fellowmen. A man who is right with God
has accepted God's principles of righteousness, and he applies
them in his daily life. Right thinking people will honor and
respect him even though they may not follow in his footsteps.
A God-fearing man may not be popular in society; his com-
pany may not be sought on every occasion; but his advice, when
sought, is generally well-regarded. And in times of calamity or
crisis it is to him that people will go for leadership and direction.
As a young minister, I once pastored a church in which there
was a very unusual church elder. This man was a businessman
who had lived in the community for many years. He had won
such respect in the area that it was not unusual for unchurched
people to call upon him to preside at funerals. He was known for
miles around as a Christian layman of integrity. His concern for
people had won the hearts of hundreds of his acquaintances.
THINK IT THROUGH
Are Christians highly regarded in their communities? If not,
why not?
"The accounts of every business, the details of every transac-
tion, pass the scrutiny of unseen auditors, agents of Him who
never compromises with injustice, never overlooks evil, never
palliates
wrong."—Education,
p. 144.
Job 29:20-25 describes the reputation every Christian should
enjoy. Read it in a modern-language translation.
FURTHER STUDY
Job 29;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 573-575.
10
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Monday
June 30
Part 2
HUMBLE
AND HONEST
How sure was Job that his conduct was right?
"If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to
deceit; let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may
know mine integrity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and
mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath
cleaved to mine hands; then let me sow, and let another eat;
yea, let my offspring be rooted out" (Job 31:5-8).
Chapter 31 is Job's protestation of his innocence of the
charges that had been brought against him by his friends. In this
chapter he outlines the principles that regulated his private
conduct. Thus we have a comprehensive summary of the ethics
of Job. The form is poetic. There is a dramatic flavor. Job calls
down curse after curse upon himself if he has falied to live up to
the ideals he is stating.
In what ways does Job claim to be innocent? The answers
are throughout chapter 31.
In this passage the words "vanity" and "deceit" are parallel.
The word translated "vanity" means "what is morally empty and
unreal, insincerity and falsehood."—Victor E. Reichert,
Job
(Hindead, Surrey: The Soncino Press, 1946), p. 157. How eager
we should be that God makes us honest and guileless.
What could be more basic than honesty? This is a virtue that
makes the difference between real character and hollow pre-
tense. Note that Job's code of ethics deals with motives.
"In this same thirty-first chapter of Job appears the spirit and
even many of the specific precepts of Christ's Sermon on the
Mount. This ancient Old Testament discourse offers that same
mountaintop perspective of spiritual matters by emphasizing
impulse of heart over grasp of hand. ' "If ... my heart has gone
after my eyes—" ' (31:7), Job sighs. It is for his heart, not his
eyes, that he is concerned."—Paul T. Gibbs,
Job and the Mys-
teries of Wisdom
(Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Publishing As-
sociation, 1967), p. 117.
THINK IT THROUGH
Was Job truly humble when he claimed to be innocent? Can
one be honest and humble at the same time? How?
"Principle, right, honesty should be ever cherished. Honesty
will not tarry where policy is harbored. They will never agree;
one is of Baal, the other of God. The Master requires His ser-
vants to be honorable in motive and action. All greed and av-
arice must be overcome. Those who choose honesty as their
companion will embody it in all their acts. To a large class, these
men are not pleasing, but to God they are beautiful."—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 607.
FURTHER STUDY
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 580-582.
11
2—A.L. 3-80
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Tuesday
July 1
Part 3
FAITHFUL TO
HIS WIFE
By what strong expression does Job affirm his fidelity to his
wife?
"If my heart has been enticed by a woman or I have lain in
wait at my neighbour's door, may my wife be another man's
slave, and may other men enjoy her" (Job 31:9, 10, NEB).
The seventh commandment of the Decalogue says "Thou
shalt not commit adultery" (Ex. 20:14). The Sermon on the
Mount says, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt.
5:28). Job anticipated both of these pronouncements.
What is Job's evaluation of the act of adultery? Job 31:11,
12. Compare Lev. 20:10.
Job recognizes that adultery is a sin against God because
God has laid down the relationships that ought to obtain
between men and women. (See Joseph's experience in Genesis
39:9.) It is always the better part of wisdom to follow in God's
precepts. (See Job 28:28.) But adultery is also a social sin, and
judges are expected to apply the law. A society that does not
uphold the highest standards of moral relationships will soon
disintegrate, and there will be a lack of respect for persons and
personal rights.
Adultery ends in personal loss'. Job speaks of a "fire that con-
sumeth to destruction" (Job 31:12). It means the loss of home,
peace and happiness—three things invaluable to men.
Job was a family man, and he took his responsibilities seri-
ously. He valued faithfulness to his wife, and he was concerned
that he deserve the respect of his children and his friends.
Job's abhorrence of adultery extended to banishment of sex-
ual thoughts about another than his wife. He says, "I have made
a solemn promise never to look with lust at a girl" (Job 31:1,
TEV).
"Job understood that mere avoidance of the overt act of
adultery was not sufficient. In order to meet God's standard the
thinking as well as the actions must be pure. Job met the prob-
lem by entering into an agreement with himself that he would
not allow his mind to be responsive to the enticements of lust. In
the figurative language of the text, a covenant [KJV] was made
between the conscience and the eyes—an agreement that im-
posed a definite obligation on the eyes not to gaze upon that
which would suggest impure thoughts."—S.D.A.
Bible Com-
mentary,
vol. 3, p. 580.
What can Job's covenent with his eyes teach me about
pornography? about erotic literature?
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Spirituality of the
Law" (Matt. 5:28), pp. 59, 60.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
12
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Wednesday
July 2
Part 4
CONCERNED
ABOUT THE POOR
What was Job's conduct in relation to the needy and poor?
"If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have
caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel
myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; ... if I
have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without
covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not
warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my hand
against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: then let
mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken
from the bone" (Job 31:16-22).
Job was a very wealthy man, and it is not uncommon for
people of wealth to be considered insensitive to the needs of the
poor. Sometimes the accusation is justified, sometimes not.
Eliphaz accused Job of mistreating the poor (Job 22:1-7). Job
denied this claim (29:12-16).
The Scriptures have a great deal to say about the responsibil-
ity of the favored to the less favored. The fatherless and the
widowed are singled out for special mention (Ex. 22:22; James
1:27). In both the Old Testament and the New, obligations are
laid on believers to the needs of the poor.
What did Jesus say of His own earthly presence in contrast
with the presence of the poor? Matt. 26:11.
There will never be a time on this earth when there are no
poor. Calamities can wipe out riches in a day. Injustices and
oppression are characteristics of a sinful society. Famines and
lack of adequate distribution of food supplies can lead to
hunger and starvation. These things we know obtain in the
world today.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my obligation to the poor?
"The blessings of salvation, temporal as well as spiritual, are
for all mankind. There are many who complain of God because
the world is so full of want and suffering; but God never meant
that this misery should exist. He never meant that one man
should have an abundance of the luxuries of life, while the
children of others cry for bread. The Lord is a God of benevo-
lence. He has made ample provision for the wants of all, and
through His representatives, to whom He has entrusted His
goods, He designs that the needs of all His creatures shall be
supplied."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 273.
"It is God's purpose that the rich and the poor shall be closely
bound together by the ties of sympathy and helpfulness. He bids
us interest ourselves in every case of suffering and need that
shall come to our
knowledge."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 279.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 6, pp. 273-280.
13
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Thursday
July 3
Part 5
NOT RUINED
BY RICHES
What did Job reject as the basis of his hope and joy?
"If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold,
Thou art my confidence; if I rejoiced because my wealth was
great, and because mine hand had gotten much ... ; this also
were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have
denied the God that is above" (Job 31:24-28).
How serious a mistake did Job consider trust in wealth to
be? Verse 28.
In this passage Job expresses a prominent biblical theme.
The Decalogue says to mankind, "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex.
20:17). The Sermon on the Mount says, "Lay not up for your-
selves treasures upon earth . . . : but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).
The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) tells of a man who
made gold his hope, and "God said unto him, Thou fool, this
night thy soul shall be required of thee" (verse 20). Paul warns
against trusting in "uncertain riches" (1 Tim. 6:17). And Jesus
exclaimed, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
into the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24).
THINK IT THROUGH
In what ways is this theme relevant to me whether or not I
am rich?
"It is God who gives men power to get wealth, and He has
bestowed this ability, not as a means of gratifying self, but as a
means of returning to God His own. With this object it is not a sin
to acquire means. Money is to be earned by labor. Every youth
should be trained to habits of industry. The Bible condemns no
man for being rich if he has acquired his riches honestly. It is the
selfish love of money wrongfully employed that is the root of all
evil. Wealth will prove a blessing if we regard it as the Lord's, to
be received with thankfulness and with thankfulness returned
to the Giver.
"Of what value is untold wealth if it is hoarded in expensive
mansions or in bank stock? What do these weigh in comparison
with the salvation of one soul for whom the Son of the infinite
God has died
?"—Testimonies,
vol. 6, pp. 452, 453.
"All the treasures which you possess, be they ever so valu-
able, would not be rich enough to buy you peace and hope,
which would be infinite gain, if it cost you all you have and the
toils and sufferings of a lifetime. A strong, clear sense of eternal
things, and a heart willing to yield all to Christ, are blessings of
more value than all the riches and pleasures and glories of this
world."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p. 576.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 258-263.
14
A Man God Trusted
LESSON 1
❑
Friday
July 4
Part 6
What was Job's attitude to his enemies?
LOVING HIS
ENEMIES
"I have never been glad when my enemies suffered,
or pleased when they met with disaster;
I have never sinned by praying for their death." (Job
31:29, 30, TEV).
Job not only tolerated his enemies, he didn't rejoice in their
misfortunes. His words remind us of the exhortation of Jesus to
His disciples in Matthew 5:43-48. An analysis of this passage
uncovers the following message:
Your Father in heaven:
makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
You:
love only those who love you.
salute only your brethren.
Be like your Father in heaven:
Love your enemies; bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who persecute you.
This is what it means to be "perfect."
This is Christian matur-
ity at its best. This is godlikeness at its highest level.
Romans 12 has been called "Paul's Sermon on the Mount."
Here the idea of self-sacrificing love is expressed as follows:
"Let love be without dissimulation" (verse 9).
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another" (verse 10).
"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not"
(verse 14).
"Recompense to no man evil for evil" (verse 17).
"If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him
drink" (verse 20).
THINK IT THROUGH
Old Testament and New Testament alike (Job, Jesus, Paul,
and others) call for us to love not just the lovely and the loving,
but the unlovely and the unloving. This is the acid test of a true
faith. Why is it difficult to do?
"It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious
privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of
God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners
whose hearts are not utterly closed to God's Spirit, will respond
to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give
love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for
hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good
hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of
heaven."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 75.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Spirituality of the
Law" (Matt. 5:44), pp. 73-75.
15
LESSON 2 July 6-12
e2TB [I:Ammo
-
12r
arg.11Ek
"I was born with nothing, and I will
lie with nothing. The Lord gave, and
low he has taken away. May his name
)e praised!" (Job 1:21, TEV).
"When God sends us something
;ood, we welcome it. How can we
complain when he sends us trouble?"
Job 2:10, TEV).
On the twenty-fourth day of
December 1974 life was as usual in the
Australian city of Darwin. People were
doing their Christmas shopping,
wrapping gifts, preparing for loved
ones, decorating their homes.
Warnings came of an impending
cyclone, but the citizens of the city had
seen high winds before and were not
greatly alarmed. Then the winds
struck-160 milesper hour in velocity.
Ninety percent of the city was
destroyed. Thousands were
homeless. A reported 45 persons lost
their lives, and many more were
injured. One television report showed
a man in a hospital bed. He and his
family had crouched in their yard
while their house was completely
destroyed. The wife and mother was
killed. For this family, disaster struck
tragically all in a day.
Since then more and perhaps
greater calamities have taken place in
this world. For millions of people
disaster will strike—sometimes from
natural causes, others because of
sickness and accident, and perhaps
others—God forbid—because of war.
No doubt some who study these
lessons will know how Job felt when
disaster struck for him. May God grant
that Job's experience may help to
rebuild broken lives.
"Job does not set out to answer the
problem of suffering, but instead
shows that even a righteous man can
utilize such an experience as that
through which the hero passed to
attain to new heights of emotional and
spiritual maturity. Quite obviously
nobody can be exempt from suffering,
for where there are men there will
always be emotional and mental
conflicts, with corresponding adverse
effects. The supreme exemplar of the
righteous sufferer was Jesus Christ,
who neither explained nor dismissed
suffering, but instead absorbed it into
His own spiritual experience, and
through His fellowship with God
achieved what Rowley has happily
styled 'the wresting of profit from the
suffering,' which has been of
incalculable value to subsequent
humanity."—R. K. Harrison,
Introduction to the Old Testament
(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1969), p.
1046.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Before the Storm
(Job 1:2, 3)
2.
Trouble Brewing
(Job 1:9-11)
3.
Tragedy Strikes
(Job 1:18, 19)
4.
Initial Responses
(Job 1:20-22)
5.
Three "Friends"
(Job 2:11, 12)
6.
A Light Grows Dim
(Job 3:2-7)
When Disaster Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Sunday
July 6
Part 1
BEFORE
THE STORM
THINK IT THROUGH
How prosperous was Job before calamity struck him?
"There were born unto him seven sons and three
daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep,
and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen,
and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so
that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east" (Job
1:2, 3).
"In the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula, east of the
Jordan River and the Dead Sea, in the land of Edom lives this
man of Uz. With an immense retinue of servants who bear
burdens in time of peace and weapons in time of war, with seven
thousand sheep to provide wool and meat and milk, with three
thousand camels for carrying merchandise to world markets,
with five hundred yoke of oxen for plowing broad acres at the
edge of the desert, where even to this day hover farms and
cities—in such affluence Job has reared his family of seven sons
and three daughters. Until disaster strikes, Job's is an idyllic
existence. . . .
"Job's life has been a success in the truest sense. Before
disaster overtook him, God's approval shed light and warmth
into his life. Those were days of rejoicing.... In harmony with his
good life and traditional beliefs, he anticipated a restful old age
and peaceful demise."—Paul T. Gibbs,
Job and the Mysteries of
Wisdom,
pp. 12, 13.
How did Job show that
he
recognized that life has its dan-
gers and people their weaknesses? Job 1:4, 5.
Job seemed to be able to handle prosperity himself, but he
was concerned about his children. Their affluence made possi-
ble a level of social gaiety that endangered their religious ex-
perience.'As a wise, concerned father, Job prayed to God about
the problem. "Amid the festivities of his sons and daughters, he
trembled lest his children should displease God. As a faithful
priest of the household, he offered sacrifices for them individu-
ally. He knew the offensive character of sin, and the thought that
his children might forget the divine claims, led him to God as an
intercessor in their behalf."—Ellen G. White Comments,
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol.
3, p. 1140.
It still happens that children of wealthy and pious parents may
inherit their parents' wealth and not their piety. Piety is not
inherited; it comes from personal relationship with God.
What is there that I can do to protect my family from the
dangers of affluence? What are some of the greatest dan-
gers?
FURTHER STUDY
Job 1 through 3;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 493-508.
18
When Disaster
Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Monday
July 7
Part 2
The scene changes from earth to the presence of God. The
TROUBLE
Lord calls Satan's attention to the faithfulness of Job.
BREWING
How did Satan respond to God's expressed approval of
Job?
"Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an
hedge about him, and about his house, and about all he hath
on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and
his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand
now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy
face" (Job 1:9-11).
After Job proves his ability to accept loss without losing his
faith in God, Satan challenges God to "touch his bone and his
flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face" (Job 2:5).
"Satan insinuated that Job served God from selfish motives.
. .. He attempted to deny that true religion springs from love and
an intelligent appreciation of God's character, that true wor-
shipers love religion for its own sake—not for reward; that they
serve God because such service is right in itself, and not merely
because heaven is full of glory; and that they love God because
He is worthy of their affections and confidence, and not merely
because He blesses them."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3,
p. 500.
What other Bible character was true to God in spite of many
calamities? What was the secret of his steadfastness? 2 Cor.
11:23-27; Rom. 8:36-39;
"The powers of evil try in two ways to destroy men—either
they work through wealth, power, and position to influence him
to compromise and forget God, or they engulf him with suffer-
ing, misfortune, and discouragement in an endeavor to break
his faith and morale. It seems that the average man can endure
only so much prosperity or so much adversity without buckling
under the strain."—Norval
F.
Pease,
Think on These Things
(Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1969), p. 165.
THINK IT THROUGH
Which would you rather have—the dangers that come from
prosperity or the test that comes from adversity? Why?
"Job had stood the test of prosperity ... (Job 1:1). Now he was
to be subjected to the test of adversity. The devil was saying to
God with a sneer, 'Every man has his price. Job will fold under
adversity.' God was about to demonstrate to the world that there
are men who can be destroyed neither by prosperity nor
adversity."—Norval F. Pease,
Think on These Things,
p. 165.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 512-514.
19
When Disaster
Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Tuesday
July 8
Part 3
What personal losses did Job experience? Job 1:13-19.
TRAGEDY
STRIKES
"While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and
said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking
wine in their eldest brother's house: and, behold, there came
a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners
of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are
dead; and I only am escaped alone tote!! thee" (Job 1:18,19).
It is not easy to bear financial loss, but it is even harder to
suffer the loss of loved ones. Children can be a source of
comfort and courage, and what a tragedy when they are gone!
What further calamity was visited on Job? Job 2:7.
Boils are very painful. They are also very disfiguring. In utter
misery Job leaves his home and goes outside the city where the
refuse is usually dumped and burned. There he sits in the ashes,
using the pieces of broken pottery that are lying around to
scrape his body when it itches, and to take away the pus from his
boils. (See verse 8.) What a contrast is presented here! Job, who
used to sit in affluence and luxury, now sits in the midst of
discarded rubbish. Perhaps he feels that his life is as useless as
the articles around him. His wife only adds insult to injury as she
suggests that he might as well give up his faith in God and die!
(See verse 9.)
THINK IT THROUGH
Why does God sometimes permit tragedies to fall on us?
Job could not see any reason for his tragedies. But for us who
can read the story of Job the curtain of mystery is drawn aside,
and we can see that some tragedies are not the result of our
doings; rather, they are the machinations of an enemy who
wants to see all of us lose our faith in God.
"He [God] permitted affliction to come upon Job, but He did
not forsake him.... God permits trials to assail His people, that
by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be
spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of
strength to others. . . .
"God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It
is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the
true gold of the Christian character."—Patriarchs
and
Prophets,
p. 129.
But for the protecting providence of God, there would be no
security against Satan's assaults. Only in the hereafter will we
understand the extent to which we have
been
shielded from
"the flaming darts of the evil one" (Eph. 6:16, RSV).
FURTHER STUDY
Education,
pp. 154, 155;
The Great Controversy,
p. 5
89
.
20
When Disaster
Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Wednesday
July 9
Part 4
How did Job respond to the loss of his goods and children?
INITIAL
RESPONSES
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head,
and fell down upon the ground, and worhipped, and said,
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I
return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor
charged God foolishly" (Job 1:20-22).
The rending of his cloak was a symbol of deep mourning.
Shaving the head indicated that he was no longer interested in
personal appearance. Yet Job fell to the ground and worshiped.
His relation to God was still whole, and in his agony he came to
God to express a faith and confidence that would not let go. In
this regard Job leads the way in telling us how we should
respond when experiences come our way that hurt us deeply
and that we cannot understand. Apparently it did not as yet
occur to Job to blame God for his situation.
How did Job's wife respond to her husband's affliction, and
how did Job answer? Job 2:9, 10.
Job's wife cannot take the calamities that have fallen as much
upon her as upon her husband. Her faith in God is shattered.
She suggests that her husband might as well "curse God," even
though she knows that this can only lead to death. What a
contrast to her husband's attitude! Furthermore, it means that
Job has lost another possible pillar of spiritual support.
It is noteworthy that never again in the story of Job is Satan
mentioned. He had been proved wrong. Here was a man who
maintained his loyalty to God in face of the most severe trouble.
And he knew nothing of the dialogue between the Lord and
Satan that precipitated his trouble. God still cares for His own.
"Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro, walking up
and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the
earnest prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts."—
Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 294.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does Job teach us regarding submission to tragedy?
"Christ is our Guide and Comforter, who comforts us in all our
tribulations. When He gives us a bitter draught to drink, He also
holds a cup of blessing to our lips. He fills the heart with submis-
sion, with joy and peace in believing, and enables us to say
submissively, Not my will, but Thy will,
0
Lord, be done. 'The
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name
of the Lord' (Job 1:21). With this submission hope is resur-
rected, and the hand of faith lays hold upon the hand of infinite
power."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 2, p. 270.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies, vol.
1, pp. 110, 111.
21
When Disaster
Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Thursday
July 10
Part 5
How did three of Job's friends respond to his afflictions?
THREE
"FRIENDS"
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was
come upon him, they came every one from his own place;
Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the
Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to
come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they
lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up
their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and
sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven" (Job 2:11,
12).
"The circumstances here mentioned suggest the lapse of
considerable time since the calamities had overtaken Job. . . .
This passage of time helps to explain Job's change of attitude
from the calm resignation of ch. 2:10 to the deep discourage-
ment of ch. 3. The initial blows of tragedy appeared not to be as
damaging to Job's morale as were the weeks of constant suffer-
ing of body and distress of mind that followed."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 504.
How did the three friends relate to Job? Job 2:13.
THINK IT THROUGH
At this point in the narrative the basic issue begins to emerge.
The three friends of Job—and Job himself—had been nurtured
in the philosophy that misfortune is an evidence of specific sin.
One can understand the silence of the three men in the
presence of Job. They would find it very difficult to accuse their
friend of wrongdoing.
"What these men find when they see Job is worse than they
expected. At the sight of this social pariah their esteem is turned
to loathing; they are struck dumb. Casual comment is inappro-
priate in the presence of monumental grief. Besides, they dare
not bless whom God has cursed. And they believe that a situa-
tion so obviously marked by the curse of God is dangerous even
to innocent bystanders. . . .
" 'And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven
nights, and no one spoke a word to him.' (2:13.) This lengthen-
ing silence is ominous, but Job understands. He has grown up
with his friends in the same traditions. He knows that the men
dare not speak in his behalf because of their conviction that he
is evil. So these friends who come to comfort Job become yet
another affliction, possibly the greatest of them all."—Paul T.
Gibbs,
Job and the Mysteries of Wisdom,
pp. 15, 16.
Do we sometimes subscribe to the fallacy that misfortune
indicates that a person has sinned, and prosperity indicates
the blessing of God?
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies to Ministers,
pp. 350, 351.
22
When Disaster Struck
LESSON 2
❑
Friday
July 11
Part 6
With what words of discouragement does Job break the
A LIGHT silence with his friends?
GROWS DIM
"0 God, put a curse on the day I was born;
put a curse on the night when I was conceived!
Turn that day into darkness, God.
Never again remember that day;
never again let light shine on it.
Make it a day of gloom and thick darkness;
cover it with clouds, and blot out the sun.
Blot that night out of the year,
and never let it be counted again;
make it a barren, joyless night" (Job 3:2-7, TEV).
THINK IT THROUGH
Job breaks into poetry as he calls a curse on the day he was
born. The rest of the book of Job is in poetic form except for the
conclusion, chapter 42.
"The poetry of Job is the unrhymed, unmetered parallelism of
all Hebrew poetry—Psalms, Proverbs, parts of Isaiah, and
elsewhere. It is a parallelism of sense, not of sound. Hebrew
poetry scorns the tinkle of modern rhyme. It disdains the count-
ing of syllables. Instead, it measures cadences in those natural
stresses required by interpretation."—Paul T. Gibbs,
Job and
the Mysteries of Wisdom,
p. 56.
In Hebrew poetry, the second line of the couplet either (1)
repeats in different words, (2) explains, or (3) completes the
thought of the first line of the couplet. It has been compared to a
voice and its echo. For example see Job 3:9, TEV:
"Keep the morning star from shining;
give that night no hope of dawn."
This is an example of repeating a thought in different words.
The first line is the "voice." The second line is the "echo."
What is your evaluation of Job's complaint to God? Was he
right or wrong? Why?
"It must not be concluded that Job's statements of ch. 3
represent a laudable reaction to calamity. This poem contains
much of complaint and bitterness that, under the cir-
cumstances, may be forgiven but not approved. The fact that
Job did complain of his lot makes him seem closer to humanity
than if he had been unperturbed by his misfortunes. Job was
spiritually great, not because he was never discouraged, but
because he eventually found his way out of discouragement. If
we wish to see a perfect example of fortitude under suffering,
we must look at Jesus, not at Job. Job, in his suffering, cursed
the day of his birth; Jesus said, 'For this cause came I unto this
hour' (John 12:27)."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 508.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 313-315.
23
LESSON 3 July 13-19
3 Thc2 Fin
-
Et
IDIFIE5cog
"How should man be just with
sod?" (Job 9:2).
This is probably the most
penetrating question raised in the
section under study in this
lesson—Job 3 through 11. These
chapters include six speeches: Job
(3:1-26), Eliphaz (4:1 through 5:27),
Job 6:1 through 7:21), Bildad (8:1-22),
Job (9:1 through 10:22), Zophar
(11:1-20). These speeches represent
the first of three dialogues or cycles
that continue through the thirty-first
chapter.
It should be pointed out that many
expositors begin the first dialogue
with chapter four and continue it
through chapter fourteen. The writer
of these lessons feels that each
dialogue or cycle begins with a speech
by Job rather than with a speech by
Efiphaz. This is the structure followed
in the
S.D.A. Bible Commentary.
However, this is a matter of opinion
and does not affect the message of the
book.
Job 3, as pointed out in part 6 of
lesson 2, begins with a passage
reflecting gloom and darkness. Job
curses the day he was born. He longs
for the grave: "There the wicked cease
from troubling; and there the weary
be at rest. There the prisoners rest
together; they hear not the voice of
the oppressor. The small and great are
there; and the servant is free from his
master. Wherefore is light given to
him that is in misery, and life unto the
bitter in soul; which long for death,
but it cometh not; and dig for it more
than for hid treasures; which rejoice
exceedingly, and are glad, when they
can find the grave" (verses 17-22).
The final verses of this sad chapter
are well rendered in the TEV:
"Instead of eating, I mourn,
and I can never stop groaning.
Everything I fear and dread comes
true.
I have no peace, no rest,
and my troubles never end"
(verses 24-26).
The dialogue begins with this
expression of discouragement
including the entire third chapter. It is
to this melancholy complaint that
Eliphaz responds in chapters four and
five.
The limits of our Sabbath School
lesson make it impossible to cover
every verse. Selections are made in an
endeavor to recapture the basic
message of Job. It is urged that each
student of these lessons read the
entire passage, including the verses
that are not specifically dealt with in
the lessons.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
A Wrong Answer
(Job 4:7-9)
2.
False Friends
(Job 6:15-21)
3.
Job Challenges God
(Job 7:19-21)
-
4.
Ancient Tradition Defended
(Job 8:11-13)
5.
God's Power and Job's Weakness
(Job 9:19, 20)
6.
Repentance Urged
(Job 11:13, 14)
The Second Dialogue
LESSON 4
❑
Sunday
July 20
Part 1
What are the points of contrast that Job makes between
THE
puny man and the sovereign God?
SOVEREIGNTY
OF GOD
"Old men have wisdom,
but God has wisdom and power.
Old men have insight;
God has insight and power to act.
When God tears down, who can rebuild,
and who can free the man God imprisons?"
"He takes away the wisdom of rulers
and makes leaders act like fools.
He dethrones kings and makes them prisoners;
he humbles priests and men of power.
He silences men who are trusted,
and takes the wisdom of old men away.
He disgraces those in power
and puts an end to the strength of rulers" (Job 12:12-14,
17-21, TEV).
Job 12 contrasts the tradition of men, which his friends value
so highly, with the wisdom and power of God. In the previous
chapter, Zophar has asked, "Canst thou by searching find out
God?" (Job 11:7). Job 12 is, in a sense, an answer to this
question. Job recognizes God as Monarch and Master of all.
How fully did Job come to trust God? Job 13:15.
There are variant translations of the text, but if the King James
translation is correct, this seems to be the "first rung in the
ladder by which Job emerged from the abyss of despair."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 534.
Job's recognition of the
power
of God was commendable. He
had yet, however, to sense fully the
love
of God.
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is en-
shrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His
character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At
this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message
illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His charac-
ter is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be
shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and
truth."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 415.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is the great power of God a source of comfort rather
than danger?
"Many limit divine Providence and divorce mercy and love
from His character. They urge that the greatness and majesty of
God would forbid His interesting Himself in the concerns of the
weakest of His creatures."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 522.
FURTHER STUDY
Job 12 and 13;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 530-535.
34
LESSON 5 July 27 to August 2
ihe2 Thrird 1115milam
[1112
"The wicked tell God to leave them
alone;
they don't want to know his will
for their lives.
They think there is no need to serve
God
nor any advantage in praying to
him.
They claim they succeed by their
own strength,
but their way of thinking I can't
accept" (Job 21:14-16, TEV).
The third dialogue or cycle, as
,understood by the author of these
lessons, includes Job 21 through 31.
These chapters cover the following
items:
"1. Job's first speech: he maintains
that the wicked sometimes
prosper, 21:1-34.
2.
Eliphaz's speech: he urges Job
to repent, 22:1-30.
3.
Job's second speech: he
expresses his longing for an
opportunity to appear before
, God, 23:1 to 24:25.
4.
Bildad's speech: he asserts that
man cannot be justified before
God, 25:1-6.
5.
Job's third and longest speech:
he reviews his experience and
maintains his innocence, 26:1 to
31:40."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 496,
497.
The present lesson touches certain
high points in chapters 21 through 27.
(Lesson 6 deals with chapter 28.
Lesson 1 has summarized chapters 29
through 31.)
It should be pointed out that
expositors differ on their
reconstruction of these chapters.
Some begin in third cycle with chapter
22. Some assume that Job 24:18-25
should be attributed to Zophar;
chapter 26:5-14 to Bildad; and chapter
27:13-23 to Zophar. Some of these
questions cannot be answered with
complete certainty, but the
message
of the book is not seriously affected by
these technical considerations. This
lesson follows the outline in the
S.D.A. Bible Commentary.
The text that has been chosen to
introduce this lesson (Job 21:14-16)
paints an accurate picture of
humanism in every age. The secularist
may acknowledge the possibility that
God exists, but he wants to live as if
there were no God. He is like the little
girl who prayed, "God, I wish You
would quit following me around." He
does not seek to be guided by God. He
sees nothing in
prayer.
He feels all
sufficient. Job identified himself with
the faithful of all ages when he said,
"Their way of thinking I can't accept"
(verse 16, TEV).
This passage also verified Job's basic
reliance upon God. In his
discouragement, he may have
complained and questioned, but his
basic loyalty was unimpaired. It is
important to distinguish in any life
between the varying moods created by
changing circumstances and the
underlying commitments that are
unaffected by the fortunes of life.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
"Please Listen!"
(Job 21:1-3)
2.
Why Do Wicked Prosper?
(Job 21:7-13)
3.
Wasted Advice
(Job 22:21-26)
4.
Reawakening of Confidence
(Job 23:10)
5.
What Is Man Worth?
(Job 25:6)
6.
A Clear Conscience
(Job 27:1-6)
The Third Dialogue
LESSON 5
❑
Tuesday
July 29
Part 3
What good, but misplaced, advice did Eliphaz give to Job?
WASTED
ADVICE
"Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby
good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from
his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to
the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away in-
iquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as
dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea,
the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty
of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty,
and shalt lift up thy face unto God" (Job 22:21-26).
"This verse [Job 22:21] begins Eliphaz' appeal to Job to mend
his ways. Eliphaz takes it for granted that Job is a sinner, wholly
unreconciled to God and unacquainted with Him. The appeal is
beautiful but incorrectly applied."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 559.
How much advice is misdirected! Like Eliphaz, we think we
understand another's problem, when actually we do not know
the motives and the backgrounds that cause his behavior.
With what spirit should the Christian approach another as
he counsels? Gal. 6:1.
Ellen White wrote the following counsel to an individual:
"There are many who need our sympathy and advice, but not
that advice which implies superiority in the giver and inferiority
in the receiver. K needs the softening, melting love of God in her
heart. The looks and tones of the voice should be modulated by
thoughtful consideration and tender, respectful love. Every
look and every tone of voice that implies, 'I am superior,' chills
the atmosphere of her presence and is more like an icicle than a
ray of light that gives warmth.... Assertions and advice which
savor of a dictatorial spirit are not good fruit. You need the
softening, melting love of Christ in your heart, which will be
reflected in all your acts toward your family and to all who are
brought under your influence."—Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 534,
535.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the basic objective in giving counsel?
Samuel T. Coleridge has said, "Advice is like snow; the softer
it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the
mind."—Quoted by Jacob
M.
Braude,
Speaker's Encyclopedia
of Stories, Quotations, and Anecdotes
(Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1955), p. 19.
To advise a good person not to be bad may be discouraging
and destructive. Often the best counsel we can give is to put
people in touch with God, the everlasting Counselor.
FURTHER STUDY
Job 22;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 556-559.
44
The Third Dialogue
LESSON 5
❑
Wednesday
July 30
Part 4
REAWAKENING
OF CONFIDENCE
What was Job's attitude toward being tested?
"He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I
shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
"This is one of the key verses of the book. Although Job could
not seem to find God, he believed that God was aware of his
ways and purposeful in His dealings with him. Job was begin-
ning to understand that he was being tried. He still did not know
of Satan's challenge regarding him. One of the rungs of the
ladder by which Job climbed from despair to faith was the
recognition on his part that he was not being punished or
unjustly treated, but rather was being tested that he might
emerge as pure gold from a furnace."—S.D.A.
Bible Commen-
tary,
vol. 3, p. 561.
"Job is now confident that when God has tried him he will
come forth as gold.... The suffering man holds to the idea that
his trouble comes from God. All along he has not perceived
Satan's share in it. Therefore his faith is the more remarkable.
He is right to some extent, because his trouble is only what God
permits. God may not be the direct agent of a person's affliction.
This may come from the cruelty of men or from other unde-
tected causes. Yet it is all within the restraint of God. . . . Job
perceives that he is being tried by God. This is the first time that
he has given evidence of holding such an idea. Hitherto he has
been simply dismayed and distressed at the problem of suffer-
ing. He has had no theory to oppose to his friends' orthodox
notion that it is the merited punishment of sin. That that notion
was wrong, experience and observation have made him see
quite clearly. But hitherto he has not been able to supply an
alternative idea. Now there dawns on him a perception of the
disciplinary purpose of suffering.... God tries his servant, not to
punish him, but because he values him.... The end aimed at will
be attained. The assurance of this lies in the previous thought of
God's knowledge. He does not need to assay the soul in order to
discover for himself whether it is of true gold. He knows the
worth of his servants. He adapts their discipline to their re-
quirements. It seems disproportionate, but it is suitable; for God
knows the way of his people; therefore he will bring them forth
as gold."—The
Pulpit Commentary,
Job (New York: Funk and
Wagnalls Company), pp. 404, 405.
What does Peter say is the purpose of trial in the Christian's
experience? 1 Peter 1:6, 7.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are the attitudes that help us endure trials, and with
what spirit should we face them?
FURTHER STUDY
Job 23;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 560, 561.
45
LESSON 6 AugUst 3-9
6 True Wisdom
"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is
wisdom; and to depart from evil is
understanding" (Job 28:28).
"This chapter [Job 28] is one of the
oldest and finest pieces of natural
history in the world. It is also one of
the great poems of all literature. This
chapter is not an argument but a
meditation. Its design seems to be to
show that man must accept divine
providence even though he may not
understand it. Job shows that man has
made surprising discoveries regarding
nature, yet true wisdom is found only
in the fear of the Lord."—S.D.A.
Bible
Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 570, 571.
"Much of the imagery in Job 28
reflects ancient mining practices.
Copper mining and smelting were
known from very early times in the
Sinaitic peninsula and on the slopes of
the Lebanons. Besides this, the author
of Job may have known the
gold-mining processes used in Nubia,
Egypt. There miners drove
passageways deep into the mountain,
following veins of quartz. ' "They
open shafts in a valley away from
where men live." ' (28:4.) The miner
'overturns mountains by the roots.'
(28:9.) Sometimes, apparently, men
worked in cages or on scaffolds
suspended into perpendicular shafts:
' "They hang afar from men, they
swing to and fro." ' (28:4.) They have
only feeble oil lamps to relieve the
darkness: ' "Men put an end to
darkness." ' (28:3.) Probably there
was no ventilation. Fire served to Make
the stone brittle: ' "It is turned up as
by fire." ' (28:5.) Then men dug it away
with mattocks: ' "Man puts his hand
to the flinty rock." ' (28:9.) . . .
"The overall intent of Job 28 is that,
while there is a wisdom belonging to
man, he can never attain higher
wisdom, an attribute of God whereby
He designed and now upholds
creation."—Paul T. Gibbs,
Job and the
Mysteries of Wisdom,
p. 109.
The book of Job describes two kinds
of wisdom: first, the "wisdom" of
tradition, as accepted by Job's friends;
and second, the wisdom of God. The
meaning of the word in a given text is
determined by the context. Job 28 is an
effort to reveal the true nature and
source of divine wisdom.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
The Source of Wisdom
(Job 12:13)
2.
The Fear of the Lord
(Job 28:28; Prov. 9:10)
3.
Departing From Evil
(Job 28:28; Prov. 3:7)
4.
Results of Wisdom
(Prov. 2:3-5)
5.
The Poor Wise Man
(Eccl. 9:14-16)
6.
The Ultimate Reward
(Dan. 12:1-3)
True Wisdom
LESSON 6
❑
Sunday
August 3
Part 1
THE SOURCE
OF WISDOM
What characteristics does Job attribute to God?
"With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and
understanding" (Job 12:13).
Read Proverbs 8:1-3, 22-31, in a modern language translation.
In the above verse Job acknowledges that God has wisdom,
that is, He knows the right thing to do at the right time in the
right way and in the right place. But Job still has a problem with
the goodness of God. How can God be good and apparently
arbitrary? (See verses 14-22.)
There is no question that God can perform what He is about to
do, but can we always understand what He does and why He
does it? There is the rub! We cannot always understand why God
seems to overturn what men have thought to be wise and proper.
There is no power that can overthrow God or resist His action.
Hence God has His way in matters He undertakes. But why are
things so contrary to what we would consider right?
Job is searching for understanding, and although he may
have many questions in his mind, at least he knows where he
can find the right answers.
How can the Christian become wise and have understand-
ing? James 1:5.
It is no fault to raise questions and wonder about our situa-
tion. The danger is that we go to the wrong sources of informa-
tion (e.g., to the so-called scholar who has no faith in God) or
resort to divining and witchcraft.
The wise man personifies wisdom and declares that wisdom
is seeking to be known and heard. (See Prov. 8:1-3.) Wisdom
has always existed as an attribute of God (verses 22-31). Further-
more, wisdom is always available to the one who asks God for it,
and therefore there is really no excuse for being constantly in
the dark about God's plans and actions.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are the practical implications of the fact that God is the
source of wisdom?
"In answer to earnest prayer He will give wisdom to those who
strive to do their duty conscientiously and intelligently."—
Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 61.
"It is not the strength of human instruments, but the power
and wisdom of Him who employs them and works with them that
makes men successful in doing the work that is necessary to be
done."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 57.
"To all who are engaged in His service, the Lord gives
wisdom."—Ellen G. White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commen-
tary,
vol. 3, p. 1129.
FURTHER STUDY
Job 28; James 1:5, 6.
50
True Wisdom
LESSON 6
❑
Monday
August 4
Part 2
THE FEAR
OF THE LORD
What does Job say wisdom is?
"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" (Job 28:28).
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov.
9:10).
What is meant by "the fear of the Lord"? "A number of
occurrences [in the Bible] of the word 'fear' involve the reveren-
tial awe that man should feel for the majesty, power, and posi-
tion of his divine Maker. In this sense the term would include any
of the varying degrees of emotional response comprehended in
our words 'reverence,' respect,"awe; and 'fear'; and it may
occasionally signify even the more extreme reaction of awe
mingled with terror that a mortal man would naturally feel when
in the immediate presence of God (Heb 12:21; Jgs 6:22, 23) or of
angels (Lk 1:12, 13). This type of fear is, of course, not to be
included in the harmful emotion that is disparaged in 1 Jn 4:18,
but is rather commended in the Scriptures (Rev.14:7; Job 28:28;
Ps 2:11; 111:10;
etc.)."—S.D.A. Bible Dictionary,
art. "Fear."
This "fear of the Lord" that is so highly commended, that is
called "wisdom" and "the beginning of wisdom" is basically
reverence for God. It is the kind of reverence that causes us to
have a deep respect for Him, His Word, His house, His day. This
reverence is so important that "when men cast off the fear of
God they are not long in departing from honor and
integrity."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
p. 557.
What special significance does "the fear of the Lord" have
in the last days? Rev. 14:7.
"By the first angel, men are called upon to 'fear God, and give
glory to Him' and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens
and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. . . .
Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be
pleasing to God. . . .
"The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the
Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence.
And wherever, in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship,
above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the
evidence of His creative power."—The
Great Controversy,
pp.
436, 437.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the difference between fearing God and being
afraid of Him?
"Unless correct ideas of true worship and true reverence are
impressed upon the people, there will be a growing tendency to
place the sacred and eternal on a level with common things, and
those professing the truth will be an offense to God and a
disgrace to religion."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 500.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 63, 64.
51
True Widsom
LESSON 6
❑
Thursday
August 7
Part 5
THE POOR
WISE MAN
How is a man of wisdom, a man of achievement, often
treated? Eccl. 9:14-16.
The "wisdom literature" of the Old Testament includes the
books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Today's scripture is a
selection from Ecclesiastes that shows, by stating a parable,
that wise men are not always appreciated. In the case of the
parable, the lack of appreciation was the result of the poverty of
the wise man. In the case of Job, his friends failed to recognize
his wisdom because of his misfortunes, which they misinter-
preted as punishments from God.
"People are categorized, not by what they are but by what
they have. In 1959 Vance Packard published his well-known
book,
Status Seekers.
In this book he described the stratifica-
tion of American society into five classes, (1) The Real Upper
Class, (2) The Semi-Upper Class, (3) The Limited-Success Class,
(4) The Working Class, and (5) The Real Lower Class.
"Regarding the 'real upper class,' Packard quotes an infor-
mant who describes what it takes to stay on that level, 'First, I'd
say money is the most important. In fact, nobody's in this class if
he doesn't have money; but it isn't just money alone. You've got
to have the right family connections, and you have got to behave
yourself or you get popped out. And if you lose your money,
you're dropped. If you don't have money, you're just out.'—
Page 40.
"Solomon recognized this point of view in his day. Here, in
our text, was a man who was known to be wise, and who
revealed his worth by saving his city in time of siege. The rich
and poor alike owed their lives to him, but he couldn't make the
social register because he was poor. In a class-conscious soci-
ety he was soon forgotten. . . .
" ....Jesus taught a gospel of equality before God. He stressed
service as the mark of superiority. He preached His gospel to the
rich and poor alike, and He expected them to live together in the
church as brothers."—Norval Pease,
Think on These Things,
p.
185.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is the Christian to respond when he is ignored because
he lacks wealth and influence?
The poor man in Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 did not deliver the city
for recognition. He acted as he did because he was wise.
Likewise, the humble but wise Christian can exert an influence
far out of proportion to his wealth and social position. Wisdom,
motivated by compassion, can be a powerful force for good.
FURTHER STUDY
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 1096.
54
True Wisdom
LESSON 6
❑
Friday
August 8
Part 6
What is the reward promised to those who are wise?
THE ULTIMATE
REWARD
"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the
stars for ever and ever" (Dan. 12:3).
Another meaning of the expression translated "they that be
wise" is those "who impart wisdom" (NIV, footnote). Thus the
wise are not only the ones who have acquired wisdom, but they
have passed their wisdom on to others. Wisdom is not a charac-
teristic that one keeps to oneself; it has to be shared, and in the
sharing many are helped.
The context of this passage points us forward to the Chris-
tian's hope—the second coming of our Lord. That will be the
time when God's faithful, living and dead, will receive their
inheritance.
"What is done through the co-operation of men with God is a
work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal
ages. He that makes God his wisdom, that grows up into the full
stature of a man in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings, before
the so-called great men of the world, and show forth the praises
of Him who hath called him out of darkness into His marvelous
light. Science and literature cannot bring into the darkened
mind of men the light which the glorious gospel of the Son of
God can bring. The Son of God alone can do the great work of
illuminating the
soul."—Fundamentals of Christian Education,
pp. 199, 200.
What was God's response to Solomon when he asked for
wisdom and understanding? 1 Kings 3:11-14.
Wisdom brings other blessings in its train. Therefore one
should seek wisdom first, just as one could seek first the king-
dom of God and His righteousness. (See Matt. 6:33.)
In Job's day mining operations represented the greatest ac-
complishment of man's inventive genius. Yet this was not true
wisdom. In our day we have seen a tremendous explosion of
knowledge, especially in scientific areas. This, likewise, is not
the highest expression of wisdom.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is the increase of knowledge today a mixed blessing?
It took great genius to unlock the mysteries of the atom. Does
man have the wisdom to use that knowledge constructively?
In the final judgment, will that which we consider "wisdom"
stand up under the scrutiny of God? Fortunately, the wisdom
that God will reward is within the reach of all.
FURTHER STUDY
Early Writings,
p. 61;
Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 249.
55
'7
ff
InD
15cri El
2
"Although God speaks again and
again,
no one pays attention to what he
says.
At night when men are asleep,
God speaks in dreams and
visions.
He makes them listen to what he
says,
and they are frightened at his
warnings.
God speaks to make them stop their
sinning
and to save them from becoming
proud.
He will not let them be destroyed;
he saves them from death itself.
God corrects a man by sending
sickness
and filling his body with pain"
(Job 33:14-19, TEV).
LESSON 7 August 10-16
l
■
a
This passage is part of the long
speech of Elihu, found in chapters 32
through 37. Elihu was a young man
who was dissatisfied both with Job's
speeches and with those of his three
friends. "Perhaps Elihu's chief
contribution to the debate is a new
emphasis on the thought that
suffering may be discipline instead of
punishment. . . .
"Elihu's idea of suffering as
discipline is not new to the story of
Job. It is the prominence or emphasis
he gives it that is new. When Eliphaz
spoke of the principle, he said,
"Behold, happy is the man whom
God reproves; therefore despise not
the chastening of the Almighty. For he
wounds, but he binds up; he smites,
but his hands heal." ' (5:17, 18.) But
Eliphaz never returned to this theme.
He never emphasized it as Elihu does.
"Job also once touched the same
point. He said, But God' "knows the
way that I take; when he has tried me, I
shall come forth as gold." ' (23:10.)
And neither has Job ever appeared to
give this facet of the problem further
study. It is left for Elihu to emphasize
the idea that suffering may be a
discipline rather than a
punishment."--Paul T. Gibbs,
Job and
the Mysteries of Wisdom,
pp. 145-147.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. The Voice of Youth
(Job 32:6-10)
2. The Confidence of Youth
(job 32:18-20)
3. When Youth Is Right
(Job 36:15)
4. Suffering as Discipline
(1 Peter 5:10)
5. Paul's Suffering
(2 Cor. 4:8-10)
6. Obedience Through Suffering
(Heb. 5:8, 9)
Suffering as Discipline
LESSON 7
❑
Tuesday
August 12
Part 3
What principle did Elihu express that was certainly true?
WHEN YOUTH
IS RIGHT
"God teaches men through suffering
and uses distress to open their eyes" (Job 36:15, TEV).
Elihu's idea was correct. God
does
teach through suffering.
He was wrong; however, in applying this principle to Job, be-
cause he didn't understand the circumstances behind Job's
misfortunes. This situation illustrates the importance of Jesus'
counsel, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." We, like Elihu, may
have a
Correct
understanding of principles; but we may err in
applying these principles to the lives of others because we lack
insight into backgrounds and motives.
What characteristic of Jesus as the Messiah can give us all
courage? Isa. 11:3, 4.
It is only too easy to judge another by what we see on the
outside or by what we hear from others. Such judgment is
always suspect. We are assured that we ourselves will not be
judged this way at the judgment bar of God.
What example from the Old Testament shows that suffering
may be the lot of the righteous, but through it all there are
lessons to learn? Gen. 37:18-36.
Joseph did not deserve what he got, but the experience did
him good rather than harm.
"In the providence of God, even this experience was to be a
blessing to him. He had learned in a few hours that which years
might not otherwise have taught him... .
"Then his thoughts turned to his father's God. . . . Joseph
believed that the God of his fathers would be his God. He then
and there gave himself fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the
Keeper of Israel would be with him in the land of his exile.
"His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to
God—under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the
King of heaven. He would serve the Lord with undivided heart;
he would meet the trials of his lot with fortitude and perform
every duty with fidelity. One day's experience had been the
turning point in Joseph's life. Its terrible calamity had trans-
formed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, coura-
geous, and self-possessed."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
pp.
213, 214.
THINK IT THROUGH
Compare the difficult experiences of Moses, Daniel, and
Jeremiah to see if you can make a good case for Elihu's claim
that God teaches men through suffering.
60
Suffering as Discipline
LESSON 7
❑
Wednesday
August 13
Part 4
SUFFERING
AS DISCIPLINE
THINK IT THROUGH
What does Peter pray will follow the saints' suffering?
"The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Peter
5:10).
What else does Peter say about suffering as a discipline?
1 Peter 4:1, 2, 12, 13.
Peter had himself experienced the discipline of suffering.
"There had been a time in Peter's experience when he was
unwilling to see the cross in the work of Christ. When the
Saviour made known to the disciples His impending sufferings
and death, Peter exclaimed, 'Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall
not be unto Thee.' Matthew 16:22. Self-pity, which shrank from
fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter's remon-
strance. It was to the disciple a bitter lesson, and one which he
learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through
agony and humiliation. But in the heat of the furnace fire he was
to learn its lesson."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 525.
What figure of speech is used of the Lord in His purification
of the Levites? Mal. 3:3, 4.
"This is the process, the refining, purifying process, which is
to be carried on by the Lord of hosts. The work is most trying to
the soul, but it is only through this process that the rubbish and
defiling impurities can be removed. Our trials are all necessary
to bring us close to our heavenly Father, in obedience to His will,
that we may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness."—
Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 541.
What bitter experience have I passed through that is an
example of the truthfulness of Elihu's statement that God
teaches men through suffering?
When Peter became a disciple of Christ, he fell far short of
Christ's standard of discipleship. He was rough, impetuous, and
self-confident. He learned much from observing and listening to
his Lord. But some lessons he could only learn through suffer-
ing. In like manner our characters are refined through pain.
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our con-
science, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a
deaf world."—C. S. Lewis,
The Problem of Pain
(New York: The
Macmillan Company, 1948), p. 81.
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
p. 528.
61
Suffering as Discipline
LESSON 7
❑
Thursday
August 14
Part 5
What were some of Paul's experiences in suffering?
PAUL'S
SUFFERING
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the
body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our body" (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
This is the testimony of a Christian disciplined by much suffer-
ing. He had learned how to relate to all kinds of affliction "that
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest" (verse 10). Phil-
lips translates it this way: "Every day we experience something
of the death of Jesus, so that we may also show the power of the
life of Jesus in these bodies of ours."
How did Christ teach Paul the disciplinary value of suffer-
ing? 2 Cor. 12:7-10.
"Through trials and persecution, the glory—character—of
God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated
and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in
the school of
Christ."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 31.
What was the secret of Paul's ability to live above his cir-
cumstances? Phil. 4:11-13.
"While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from
trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said, 'As
thy days, so shall thy strength be.' My grace is sufficient for
thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'
Deuteronomy 33:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9. If you are called to go
through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side
even as He was with the faithful three in
Babylon."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 30.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does discipline help us in relation to others?
"If we were delivered miraculously from all sickness, how
could we sympathize with the sufferer? Only when we have felt
the scourge of pain can we fully understand what another per-
son is experiencing. The person who has looked death in the
face may learn something about life that he can learn in no other
way. The person who has had to give up cherished ambitions
because of physical limitations is much less likely to be critical
of the other man who is meeting a similar problem."—Norval
Pease,
Heal the Sick
(Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub-
lishing Association, 1972), pp. 57, 58.
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 296, 297.
62
Suffering as Discipline
LESSON 7
❑
Friday
August 15
Part 6
How did Jesus learn obedience?
OBEDIENCE
THROUGH
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the
SUFFERING things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became
the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him"
(Heb. 5:8, 9).
"Sometimes the question is raised how it could be said that
Christ, who is perfect and at every moment has been perfect,
needed to learn obedience. Two observations may help to an-
swer this query: (1) As far as His earthly life is concerned Christ
developed like other human beings. He 'increased in wisdom
and stature, and in favour with God and man.' ... He learned by
observation and experience as do others. (2) Though as God
prior to the incarnation Christ was omniscient, yet He did not
know
by experience
the problems confronting men as they seek
to render obedience to God. By becoming man and by facing
the temptations of life as a man, Christ gained this knowledge.
He thus met one of the essential qualifications for the high
priesthood, namely that the appointee belong to the human
family."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 430.
In this truth lies one of the great mysteries of the gospel. Jesus
Himself accepted suffering and death, the common lot of man-
kind. Only by humbling Himself in this way could He be truly
human. Only thus could He identify Himself with humanity. In
view of this, should we expect to be excused from suffering?
What did Jesus teach about the discipline of suffering?
Matt. 16:24, 25.
This statement of Jesus emphasizes a great truth: Those who
accept the discipline of self-denial, of suffering, of risk for Christ
will "find" their lives. Multitudes are looking for meaning in life.
Here is the answer.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can Christians learn best how to hate sin?
"They [His chosen ones] walk the narrow paths on earth; they
are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ
through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience
bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches
them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhor-
rence. Being partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are destined
to be partakers of His
glory."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
p. 31.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The
Beatitudes"
(Matt. 5:10, 11), pp. 29-35.
63
Ge an
it
Emil
"Acquaint now thyself with him, and
be at peace" (Job 22:21).
"Behold, God is great, and we know
him not" (Job 36:26).
LESSON 8 August 17-23
"This section [Job 38:1 to 42:6]
reaches dazzling heights of poetic
splendour. Job's passionate cry that he
might confront God is now granted.
He had asked to know the reason for
his suffering and sought to discover
God's charges against him. Above all,
he sought to have God vindicate his
innocence and his spiritual integrity.
This, as xlii.7f [ch. 42] shows, Job
achieves. The friends are rebuked and
Job's rectitude acknowledged. Before
Job and his companions, God unfolds
the vast panorama of creation. . . .
"Moreprofoundly than ever, Job is
nowfilledwith an overpowering sense
of the immensity of the Divine
grandeur and mystery. He is humbled
into more vivid awareness of how
futile it is for man to think he can ever
penetrate the insuperable mysteries of
God's moral government of the
universe. His tormenting questions
have not been answered. But he has
found peace. Out of sorrow and
suffering he has come to know God,
not only in His blazing majesty but int"
His boundless love. Job's pride has
vanished and in the vision of God,
affirming his integrity, he attains
spiritual victory and triumphant
faith."—V. E. Reichert,
Job,
p. 195.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
The Voice From the Storm
(Job 38:1)
2.
The Creator of the World
(Job 38:4-7)
3.
The Lord of the Universe
(Job 38:31-33)
4.
The Lord of Life
(Job 38:39-41)
5.
The Source of Strength
(Job 40:9)
6.
Job Responds to God
(Job 42:1-6)
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
❑
Sunday
August 17
Part 1
Under what circumstance did God speak to Job?
THE VOICE
FROM THE STORM
"Out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job" (Job 38:1, TEV).
When God communicates directly with man, He sometimes
chooses to reveal Himself in some kind of phenomenon beyond
man's control. For example, at Sinai the mountain "was al-
together on a smoke ... : and the smoke thereof ascended as the
smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly" (Ex.
19:18). In Job's case, the storm is described in the final speech
of Elihu. Read Job 37:1-4.
There are thunder and lightning, snow and rain (verse 6).
These phenomena cause men to pause in their work and marvel
at the greatness of God. Men know that they are helpless before
the forces of nature. How much more puny are they before the
power of the God who created all nature!
Elihu paints a glorious picture of earth and sky before and
after a thunderstorm (Job 37:21), and then he goes on to refer to
the God who reigns above all nature. To Him all men should turn
in reverence and awe (verses 22-24).
What rebuke did Jesus give to the weather forecasters of
His day? Matt. 16:1-4. '
It is always amazing how leaders, even religious leaders, can
be sensitive to physical phenomena and blind to spiritual is-
sues. They know how to maneuver themselves into favorable
positions by watching political trends or sociological move-
ments, and yet they are unaware of their responsibilities under
God. They can help people materially but not spiritually.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is God's speaking through nature more effective for
some people than any other kind of approach?
"God is speaking to us in these last days. We hear His voice in
the storm, in the rolling thunder. We hear of the calamities He
permits in the earthquakes, the breaking forth of waters, and the
destructive elements sweeping all before them. We hear of
ships going down in the tempestuous ocean; God speaks to
families who have refused to recognize Him, sometimes in the
whirlwind and storm, sometimes face to face as He talked with
Moses."—Selected Messages,
bk. 2, pp. 315, 316.
God's voice doesn't always come out of the whirlwind.
"Again He whispers His love to the little trusting child and to
the gray-haired sire. . . .
"When the still small voice which succeeds the whirlwind ...
is heard, let all cover their face, for God is very
near."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 2, p. 316.
FURTHER STUDY
Job 38:1 to 42:6;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 597-
610.
66
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
Monday
August 18
Part 2
THE CREATOR
OF THE WORLD
By what questions does God emphasize His greatness
compared with man's littleness?
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the mea-
sures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line
upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or
who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars
sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job
38:4-7).
In describing the creation of the world, God used metaphors
that would be understood in Job's day. Thus reference is made
to a "foundation" being laid, the use of measuring rods and
lines, the underpinning of foundation stones and cornerstones,
*
This does not mean that the earth has a foundation except in the
sense that it is as firmly positioned as any building on earth that
has a firm foundation. Metaphors must not be used to limit
one's understanding and set up a false view of the universe.
"As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was
exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with moun-
tains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lovely
lakes.... Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye
at every turn. The heights were crowned with trees more majes-
tic than any that now exist. The air, untainted by foul miasma,
was clear and healthful. The entire landscape outvied in beauty
the decorated grounds of the proudest palace. The angelic host
viewed the scene with delight, and rejoiced at the wonderful
works of
God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 44.
Before God spoke, what truth did Job already know? Job
9:8-10. Why do you think God revealed Himself to Job as He
did?
THINK IT THROUGH
Why do we need to be reminded of God's greatness in
Creation?
Job, in his suffering, had become acutely aware of his pain-
racked body, of the garbage dump which was his temporary
home, of the accusations of his friends, of the losses of those
things that had made life pleasant for him in the past. It was
necessary for him to lift his eyes above and beyond his sordid
surroundings to God and His creation. A glimpse of the great-
ness of God changed his perspective. He ceased complaining.
He accepted his lot before he understood the reasons for his
misfortunes.
We need to look beyond the follies of men of cl Satan who
pollute our world and get a new vision of Him who created our
world.
FURTHER STUDY
Fundamentals of Christian Education,
pp. 375, 376.
67
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
❑
Tuesday
August 19
Part 3
What further questions does God ask that show Job how
THE LORD limited his capacities are?
OF THE
UNIVERSE
"Can you tie the Pleiades together
or loosen the bonds that hold Orion?
Can you guide the stars season by season
and direct the Big and the Little Dipper?
Do you know the laws that govern the skies,
and can you make them apply to the earth?" (Job 38:31-
33, TEV).
The questions do not only point out how small man is; they
indicate the greatness of God. God is above and beyond the
universe, and He holds it all together.
"Nothing can happen in any part of the universe without the
knowledge of Him who is omnipresent."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 1141.
"Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds,
He rules over all the affairs of the universe."—Steps
to Christ
;
p.
100.
"God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe."—
Steps to Christ,
p. 77.
For what two attributes does the psalmist extol God in
Psalm 145:3-8?
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it beneficial to ponder the greatness of God?
William Beebe, a naturalist, tells the following story about
Theodore Roosevelt:
"After an evening talk, perhaps about the fringes of knowl-
edge, or some new possibility of climbing into the minds or
senses of animals, we would go out on the lawn where we took
turns in an amusing little astronomical rite. We searched until
we found, with or without our glasses, the faint heavenly spot of
light-mist beyond the lower left-hand corner of the great square
of Pegasus, when one or the other of us would recite:
" 'That is the Spiral Galaxy of Andromeda.
It is as large as our Milky Way.
It is one of a hundred million galaxies.
It is seven hundred and fifty-thousand light years away.
It consists of one hundred billion suns, each one larger than
our sun.
"After an interval, Colonel Roosevelt would grin at me and
say, 'Now I think we are small enough! Let's go to bed!"--Wil-
liam Beebe, ed.,
The Book of Naturalists,
p. 234. Quoted from
Charles E. Weniger,
Before Honor
(Mountain View, Calif.:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953), pp. 18, 19.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 337.
68
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
❑
Wednesday
August 20
Part 4
How does God demonstrate that He is the Sustainer of life?
THE LORD
OF LIFE
"Do you find food for lions to eat,
and satisfy hungry young lions
when they hid in their caves,
or lie in wait in their dens?
Who is it that feeds the ravens
when they wander about hungry,
when their young cry to me for food?" (Job 38:39-41, TEV).
God's conversation with Job not only touches the areas of
astronomy, geology, and physics—He also presents Himself as
the great Zoologist. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, much
is said about nature, including the habits and characteristics of
animal life. God establishes His position as the Creator and
Maintainer of the life that inhabits the world and the universe.
He talks to Job about lions, ravens, mountain goats, donkeys,
ostriches, horses, hawks, and eagles. in all of this Job is led to
see the power, the knowledge, and the concern of the God
whose love he had been tempted to doubt.
This concept was not new to Job. He had said:
"Even birds and animals have much they could teach you;
ask the creatures of earth and sea for their wisdom.
All of them know that the Lord's hand made them.
It is God who directs the lives of his creatures;
every man's life is in his power" (Job 12:7-10, TEV).
God was endeavoring to remind Job of the lesson that ap-
pears in the last stanza of William Cullen Bryant's familiar poem,
"To a Waterfowl":
"He who, from zone to zone,
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
In the long way that I must tread alone,
Will lead my steps aright."
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it foolish of us to worry about the future?
"When we take into our hands the management of things with
which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for
success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us,
and are trying to bear it without His aid.... BLit when we really
believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall
cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child
trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will
disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 100.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"Rejoicing in the Lord," pp. 123, 124.
69
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
❑
Thursday
August 21
Part 5
What contrast between God and man is highlighted in Job
THE SOURCE 40:9?
OF STRENGTH
"Nast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a
voice like him?"
The security of man is dependent on the strength of God. This
Job needed to recognize in order that he might endure his
suffering without descending into despair.
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I beseech the people
of God to depend upon the Lord for strength. Beware how you
place men where God should be. We are not safe in taking men
as our authority or our guide, for they will surely disappoint us.
Individually, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and
trembling, 'for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to
do of His good pleasure.' We have a high calling in Christ Jesus;
we are carrying forward a vast and holy work, and God calls
upon each one to uplift His standard in the sight of this world
and of the universe of heaven, by the power of the Lord Jehovah,
in whom is 'everlasting strength.'
"—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 386.
What does the Bible tell us about depending on God's
strength? Ps. 46:1-3; Jer. 16:19; Ex. 15:2; 1 Chron. 16:11; Eph.
3:14-16.
We need never fear the elements around us because God is
greater than any hurricane or earthquake or flood of water.
Nothing can harm us unless God permits.
Jeremiah says that he can always go to God for protection and
find all the help that he needs.
After the destruction of the Egyptian armies, Moses and the
children of Israel sang a song of victory in which they attributed
their salvation to God.
David exhorts the people to find their strength in God be-
cause God is the only source of real strength.
Paul prays for the church members in Ephesus to be
strengthened where they need strength most, in their spiritual
lives and in their inner beings.
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
70
Why are so many Christians weak when they ought to be
strong?
"Christ knows the strength of your temptations and the strength
of your power to resist. His hand is always stretched out in pity-
ing tenderness to every suffering child. To the tempted, discour-
aged one he says, Child for whom I suffered and died, cannot
you trust Me? 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be.'
"—Mes-
sages to Young People,
p. 98.
Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 219.
Getting Acquainted With God
LESSON 8
❑
Friday
August 22
Part 6
JOB RESPONDS
TO GOD
THINK IT THROUGH
For what did Job repent in his response to God?
"Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do
every thing, and that no thought can be witholden from thee.
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore
have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for
me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I
will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of
thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job
42:1-6).
Job has at last reached the top rung of the long ladder from
despair to confidence. Now he has a more realistic view of both
himself and of God.
In Job's response to God we notice three things:
1.
Job has come to recognize the sovereignty of God (verse
2).
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual
includes a refer-
ence to God as "the Eternal Father, a personal, spiritual Being,
omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, infinite in wisdom and
love."—Page 32. Never should a Christian compromise his con-
cept of God as Supreme Ruler of the universe.
2.
Job recognizes the ignorance of man (verse 3). When Job
admitted that he said things he didn't understand, he did not yet
know why he was being allowed to suffer. But he was coming to
the place where he was willing to trust. We all need to be aware
of our lack of knowledge, of insight, of understanding. Only
when we humble ourselves can we establish a workable rela-
tionship with God.
3.
Job recognizes the importance of personal experience
(verse 5). To know God is one of the major goals of religious
experience. This means the development of a sensitivity to the
guidance of God, a trust in the wisdom and love of God, and an
eagerness for a relationship with God. This experience comes
to the sincere person who prays, who meditates, who reads
God's word, and who commits himself to God.
Why is a heart knowledge of God sometimes better than a
head knowledge?
This passage may be the most valuable in the book of Job.
This is the point at which Job's experience can be translated
into a message that will meet an individual's deepest needs.
Christian experience at all levels consists of recognizing the
greatness and the love of God, feeling one's need and unworth-
iness, and discovering a personal experience of relationship
with God. It is summed up in the words of Christ, "Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest" (Matt. 11:28).
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 509;
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 164, 165.
71
LESSON 9 August 24-30
9 A Happy Ending
"The Lord turned the captivity of
Job, when he prayed for his friends;
also the Lord gave Job twice as much as
he had before" (Job 42:10).
"The Lord turned the captivity of Job
when he prayed„not only for himself,
but for those who Were opposing him.
When he felt earnestly desirous that
the souls that had trespassed against
him might be helped, he himself
received help. ret us pray, not only for
ourselves, but for those who have hurt
us, and are continuing to hurt
us."—Ellen G. White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p.
1141.
Our text is one of the most touching
passages in the story of Job. When he
prayed, he was still sitting on the
"garbage dump." His sores were still
festering. None of his losses had yet
been restored. The harsh speeches of
his "friends" still rang in his ears. God
had appeared to
-
him, but He did not
explain the reason for Job's affliction.
There had been no solution offered to
the problem of pain except a renewal
of faith in God'
nd a willingness to do
His bidding.
In this key passage regarding the
outcome of Job's, experience is
revealed a principle of the everlasting
gospel taught by.
Jesus in His model
prayer: "Forgive us the wrongs we
have done, as We forgive‘the wrongs
that others have done to us" (Matt.
6:12, TEV). Later in His ministry, He
told the story of the servant who was
forgiven "ten thousand talents," but
who refused to forgive his fellow
servant a small debt. (See Matt.
18:23-35.) Intercessory prayer is one of
the themes of the Bible.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
God's Displeasure
(Job 42:7)
2.
Intercessory Prayer
(Job 42:8)
3.
The Love of Family and Friends
(Job 42:11)-
4.
The God Who Restores
(Job 42:10)
•
5.
Job's Best Years
(Job 42:12)
6.
"So Job Died"
(Job 42:16, 17)
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Sunday
August 24
Part 1
Why was God displeased with Job's friends?
GOD'S
DISPLEASURE
"After the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord
said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee,
and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the
thing that is right, as my servant Job hath" (Job 42:7).
"This verse begins the closing prose portion of the book. God
turns His attention to the three friends of Job, addressing
Eliphaz apparently as the leader of the trio. God had rebuked
Job for his lack of understanding, but He indicates anger at the
friends for their failure to speak that which was 'right.' This
raises the interesting question of the difference between the
errors of Job and the errors of his friends. An analysis discloses
that Job erred because of suffering, pressure, discouragement,
and despair. He was the victim of a distressing situation that he
could not understand. His statements were sometimes petulant,
sometimes almost sacrilegious. However, all the way through
he maintained a basic trust in God. The friends were not suffer-
ing as Job was. Their wrong words were the expression of a
false philosophy. They allowed tradition to overshadow sym-
pathy. They felt that they were justified in harshness because
their conception of God seemed to demand such an
attitude."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 611.
What reason does Paul give for his warning against decep-
tion? Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8.
False doctrine leads to a false concept of God and the real
world that we are in, and it leads to destruction. God does not
want anyone destroyed, and He has poured out all heaven for
man's salvation. Therefore He can only hate all deception.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are some areas of deception that have been revealed
in my experience?
Perhaps our mistakes, like those of Job's friends, are based
on traditions that, though deeply rooted, are not in harmony
with truth. Perhaps our mistakes are results of incorrect in-
terpretation of inspired writings. Possibly we have failed to
sense the real meaning of God's messages. Possibly we have
taken them out of context and have arrived at unsound conclu-
sions. In so doing, we, like Job's friends, may be more
blameworthy than others who may crumple under temptation
and trial.
Never should we fail to be gentle to those who suffer. Job's
friends failed on this point. God's gentleness toward Job, as
reflected in this chapter, is an example for all of us to follow.
(See James 3:17.)
FURTHER STUDY
Job 42;
S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, pp. 609-612.
74
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Monday
August 25
Part 2
Who was to pray for Job's friends?
INTERCESSORY
PRAYER
"Take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go
to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering;
and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept"
(Job 42:8).
Job's prayer of intercession for his friends followed a burnt
offering of confession offered by those friends. At God's direc-
tion, the friends confessed, sealing their confession with an
offering. Also at God's direction, Job prayed for his friends'
forgiveness. Only when the friends reached the point in their
experience when they could confess, could God forgive; and
only when Job reached the point where he could with love and
sincerity pray for his friends could God turn his captivity and
make him prosperous again.
What kind of persons must we be to offer effective prayers?
James 5:16.
This passage in James must be understood in the context of
James's instruction regarding praying for the sick. Such prayer,
to be effective, must presuppose that both the sick person and
those praying for him should seek forgiveness from one another
as well as from God.
"Great character is essential to great praying.
A man with a
small, mean, self-indulgent life cannot genuinely offer a noble
prayer. This is the meaning of the saying that it is easy to commit
the Lord's Prayer to memory, but difficult to learn it by heart. In
any man's entreaty, no matter how great the words, only that
much is real which is the expression of his character, the inward
quality and habitual desire of his life."—Harry Emerson Fos-
dick,
The Meaning of Prayer
(New York: Association Press,
1972), p. 132.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can we be sure our prayers of intercession are really
sincere?
"We go through the form of praying for our
friends.
It seems
the right thing to do, and it gives us at least a momentary glow of
unselfishness. But the prayer does not so rise from a controlling
desire for our friends' good, that we can be counted on all that
day to be thoughtful about their needs, sensitive to their feel-
ings, generous to their faults, glad of their success, and helpful
to our utmost in their service. We often do not really care
enough about our friends, so that our supplication for them has
vital meaning for us and, therefore, for God."—Harry Emerson
Fosdick,
The Meaning of Prayer,
pp. 136, 137.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Tim. 2:1; Num. 11:2; Ex. 32:11-14; Job 1:5; 1 John 5:16.
75
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Tuesday
August 26
Part 3
How did people respond to Job after his fortunes were
THE LOVE restored?
OF FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
"Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his
sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before,
and did eat bread with him in his house; and they bemoaned
him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had
brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money,
and every one an earring of gold" (Job 42:11).
This passage deserves more attention than it has ordinarily
received. It reveals to us how the presence of family and friends
contributed to the rebuilding of Job's life.
"Job 42:11 presents a peace feast in Job's behalf. In harmony
with Middle Eastern custom friends and relatives have held
aloof during his trials, fearing to befriend one under divine
curse lest they share in the curse. Now, convinced of God's
goodwill toward Job, they gather in his house to eat bread with
him, to sympathize, and to extend financial aid."—Paul T.
Gibbs,
Job and the Mysteries of Wisdom,
p. 159.
The most acute suffering that Job endured was not the loss of
his wealth or even his health, but the loss of his children. When
the family circle was broken, Job's heart was also broken. The
support of his brothers and sisters and acquaintances was a
real turning point in his restoration. The later birth of sons and
daughters helped even more to heal the deep wounds that
adversity had inflicted upon him.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does Job's experience teach us about the importance
of the family?
"Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small,
our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful
possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities
of our own homes. If we will open our hearts and homes to the
divine principles of life, we shall become channels for currents
of life-giving power. From our homes will flow streams of heal-
ing, bringing life, and beauty, and fruitfulness where now are
barrenness and dearth."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 355.
There are many confused, discouraged people in our world
whose lives would be different if they had the support of a loving
and concerned family. When Paul wrote to the Colossians and
the Ephesians, he specifically addressed wives, husbands, chil-
dren, and servants. The state of the church is dependent upon
the state of the home. The effectiveness of the Christian witness
is determined by the integrity of the Christian home.
FURTHER STUDY
Col. 3:18-21; Eph. 5:22 to 6:9.
76
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Wednesday
August 27
Part 4
THE GOD
WHO RESTORES
What was the source of Job's renewed prosperity?
"The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his
friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had
before" (Job 42:10).
The restoration of Job not only brought happiness to Job, it
also brought happiness to God. It is noteworthy that God not
only restored what Job had lost, He doubled Job's blessings.
This is the kind of God that Christ reveals.
"The Scriptures reveal many facets of God's character, but
nothing can take the place of a life that demonstrates it. It was
for this purpose that the Son of God came to this earth. When
friends were in sorrow over the loss of a loved one, 'Jesus wept'
(John 11:35). He wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
(Here the word
klaid
is used, which indicates a loud expression
of grief, especially in mourning for the dead.) This was God:
moved with sympathy for the mourners and silently shedding
tears, and a few weeks later broken up within because
Jerusalem had rejected Him, and weeping as one mourning for
the dead.
"When the adulterous woman was brought before Him, He
said compassionately, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin
no more' (John 8:11). This too was God. He spoke to the Samari-
tan woman at the well, and converted her and numerous other
Samaritans—with whom the Jews would have no dealings. This
is God's way. He had compassion on the multitude when they
were hungry (Matt. 15:32), because they fainted and were scat-
tered abroad as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:35, 36;
14:14). Thus was the heart of God revealed.
"He was the fearless defender of right. When the Pharisees
sought to frighten Him into precipitous flight by warning Him
that Herod would kill Him, 'He said unto them, Go ye, and tell
that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to
morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected' (Luke 13:32).
When greedy priests and hucksters were defiling the Temple He
made a scourge of cords, overturned the tables of the
moneychangers, and drove them all out (Matt. 21:12, 13; Mark
11:15-17; John 2:14-17). This also was God."—Otto H. Christen-
sen,
Getting Acquainted With God
(Washington, D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1970), pp. 64, 65.
THINK IT THROUGH
How best can I reveal God's benevolence and love?
"The character of God, whose likeness we are to receive, is
benevolence and
love."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 595.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 88.
77
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Thursday
August 28
Part 5
"The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his be-
JOB'S
ginning" (Job 42:12).
BEST YEARS
"'The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind' (Job 38:1),
and revealed to His servant the might of His power. When Job
caught a glimpse of his Creator, he abhorred himself and re-
pented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord was able to bless him
abundantly and to
make his last years the best of his life."—
Prophets and Kings,
p. 164. (Emphasis supplied.)
How could Job's last years have been the best when he had
lost so much and suffered so much?
1.
He had laid a sound character foundation in his earlier
years.
He had been faithful to God, to his family, and to his
fellowmen. His last years did not have to be filled with regrets.
2.
He had survived a great ordeal.
The book of Job is a story of
spiritual survival. The struggle wasn't easy, but with God's help
the victory was won.
3.
He had come to know God better.
In fact, the story turns on
the growing maturity of Job's acquaintance with God. His
knowledge of God was not a mere emotional reaction. It was a
deep, profound understanding of God as his Creator, Friend,
and Redeemer.
4.
He had enjoyed the great experience of being forgiven.
Many of his statements were expressions of despair rather than
hope. Many of his accusations against God revealed lack of
understanding. But God never rejected Job despite his discour-
agement.
5.
Job had been vindicated.
No doubt he often repeated his
story to his seven sons and his three beautiful daughters. It may
have been these children that helped preserve Job's story until
it could eventually be written for posterity. It is of passing inter-
est that the only names preserved in the book besides those of
the main actors are the names of Job's daughters.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can we become like Job?
Perfection is the process by which a great and loving God
calls people to follow Him, forgives their sins, helps them to
overcome their shortcomings, supplies them with divine grace,
and finally bestows upon them eternal life.
"As we walk day by day in the light He sends us, in willing
obedience to all His requirements, our experience grows and
broadens until we reach the full stature of men and women in
Christ
Jesus."—Messages to Young People,
pp. 15, 16.
FURTHER STUDY
Eph. 4:11-15; Phil. 3:12-16; 1 John 2:1; 1 Peter 5:10;
The Acts
of the Apostles,
pp. 560-562.
78
A Happy Ending
LESSON 9
❑
Friday
August 29
Part 6
"After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his
"SO JOB sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died,
DIED" being old and full of days" (Job 42:16, 17).
"The man who was so sure that the grave was just ahead of
him continued to live for nearly another century and a half! The
life that had seemed blasted, bloomed again in greater bril-
liance than before. The blessings.that had seemed to be gone
forever, returned, more wonderful than ever. Property, family,
friends, reputation, were his again. But even greater than these
blessings was the memory of an experience in which he had
come face to face with God, and had learned lessons more
valuable than material possessions. These lessons, God in His
providence saw fit to share with all humanity, and so the book of
Job was preserved as one of the great spiritual heritages from a
far-distant past. It is our privilege today to learn from the experi-
ence of Job lessons of trust and confidence in God."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 612.
Although death is humanity's lot, what is God's purpose for
man? John 11:25, 26.
Regarding almost every person, good or bad, who has lived
upon this earth, the final line could read like that of Job, "So he
died." But God is not the author of death. God's eternal purpose
is that all who believe will not perish but have everlasting life.
Job saw a glimmer of light beyond the grave. We may anticipate
the future in the full light of the gospel.
"In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. 'He that
hath the Son hath life.' 1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the
believer's assurance of eternal life. 'He that believeth in Me,'
said Jesus, 'though he were dead, yet shall he live: and
whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest
thou this?' Christ here looks forward to the time of His second
coming. Then the righteous dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and the living righteous shall be translated to heaven without
seeing death. The miracle which Christ was about to perform, in
raising Lazarus from the dead, would represent the resurrection
of all the righteous dead. By His word and His works He declared
Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who Himself was
soon to die upon the cross stood with the keys of death, a
conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give
eternal life."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 530.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is death not the greatest tragedy that can befall man?
FURTHER STUDY
1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
79
"We know that in everything God
works for good with those who love
him" (Rom. 8:28, RSV).
The book of Job does not provide a
complete answer to the problem of
pain. Job's experience shows why and
how one man suffered, and how God
eventually revealed Himself to the
sufferer and reversed his fortunes. It
cannot be concluded that every
person who suffers is an actor in a
divine drama as was Job.
Most of
our
headaches and
heartaches result from the normal
hazards of life in this world. We bring
disease on ourselves by not paying
attention to the laws of life and health.
We are all potential victims of
accident, viruses, disappointments,
losses, and many other
LESSON 10 August 31 to September 6
Berra
-
n
pain-producing factors.
From Job we can learn of God's love
for and patience with the sufferer. We
can learn how "God works for good
with those who love him." But in many
respects Job's experience was not
typical of everyday human life. The
purpose of this lesson is to stress the
truth that the same God who helped
Job resolve his problems will help us
"in everything." God is concerned
about all kinds of pain, physical and
mental. He looks with compassion on
the father, worried about how to pay
the bills, and the mother, concerned
about the bringing up of her children.
He feels the pain of the cancer patient
and the heartache of the bereaved. He
does not promise to exempt us from
all these hazards as long as we are in
the world. We must accept our lot as
fellow sufferers with all mankind. But
we must never forget that "in
everything God works for good with
those who love him."
"Whatever may be your
circumstances, however dark and
mysterious may be the ways of
Providence, though the path may be
through the deep waters, and trials
and bereavements may afflict again
and again, the assurance still comes,
'All things work together for good to
them that love God.' (Rom. 8:28)."—
Selected Messages,
bk. 2, p. 261.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. God Feels Our Pain
(Isa. 63:9)
2. God's Presence
(Isa. 43:2, 3)
3. God Helps and Delivers
(Ps. 33:18-22)
4. Helping One Another
(1 Cor. 12:26)
5. Pain With Courage
(2 Cor. 4:8, 9; 1 Cor. 4:11-13)
6. Pain Will End
(Rev. 21:4)
The Problem of Pain
LESSON 10
❑
Sunday
August 31
Part 1
How did God respond to the afflictions of Israel?
GOD FEELS
OUR PAIN
"In all their affliction he was afflicted" (I sa. 63:9).
Isaiah pictures a God who is in close touch with His people,
responding to their needs in various ways, sometimes judging
them, but always loving them and seeking their best interests
(verses 11-14).
"As a kind, loving parent suffers when suffering comes upon
his children, so does God. The Lord saw the affliction of His
people in Egypt (Ex. 3:16) and saved them when they cried to
Him in their oppression. Today He is our great high priest, who
is 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities' (Neb. 4:15)."—
S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 324.
"Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His
heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He
was never indulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend
to remain silent while they were pursuing a course that would
ruin their souls. . . .
" ... Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces
the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart. . . .
" . . . God is bending from His throne to hear the cry of the
oppressed. To every sincere prayer He answers, 'Here am I.' He
uplifts the distressed and downtrodden.
In all our afflictions He
is afflicted.
In every temptation and every trial the angel of His
presence is near to deliver."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 356. (Em-
phasis supplied.)
How did God respond to Israel's bondage in Egypt? Ex.
2:23-25.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can we be sure that the Christian never suffers alone?
"The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that,
from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God.
Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every
failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When
there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result
of separation from God,—subjugation by their enemies, cruelty,
and death,—it is said that 'His soul was grieved for the misery of
Israel.' In all their affliction He was afflicted: . . . and He bare
them, and carried them all the days of old.' Judges 10:16; Isaiah
63:9."—Education,
p. 263.
One of the great blessings of the Christian faith is the knowl-
edge that the Christian serves a sympathizing, caring God. It is
comforting to know that there is not a pang of pain on earth that
is not shared in heaven. God suffers with His earthbound chil-
dren.
FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 23;
The Desire of Ages,
pp. 20, 22, 24, 25.
82
The Problem of Pain
LESSON' 10
❑
Monday
September 1
Parl 2
What assurance did God give captive Judah?
GOD'S
PRESENCE
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when
thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy
God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isa. 43:2, 3).
The companionship of God is one of the themes of the Scrip-
tures. While God's servant enjoys his Master's companionship
during life's sunny days, the sense of God's nearness is espe-
cially appreciated when things go hard.
The psalmist said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Ps.
23:4).
Paul said his God was "not far from every one of us: for in him
we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:27, 28).
One of the names given to Jesus was Immanuel, which means
"God with us."
The doctrine of the Holy Spirit teaches us of the companion-
ship of God under all circumstances and in all conditions.
The letter to the Hebrews quotes God as saying, "I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Therefore, the Chris-
tian may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear
what man shall do unto me" (verse 6).
What was the meaning to the Israelites of the pillar of fire?
Ex. 13:21, 22.
During every day of 40 difficult years there was a pillar of
cloud over the camp of Israel, and during the night a pillar of
fire. Under all sorts of stresses, conflicts, apostasies, and disap-
poi ntments, He was there. During these weary years God proved
Himself a God who was interested in people—immature people,
repulsive people, helpless people, people who didn't appreciate
Him. He provided for these people, supplying their necessities
and protecting them from their enemies.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can pain deepen our Christian experience?
Christians have often found the richest experience of their
lives in times of great pain and perplexity because they have
come to sense the nearness of God.
"I rest beneath Thy kindly shade;
My griefs expire, my-troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace."
—Charles Wesley,
The Church Hymnal,
no. 83.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"God's Love for Man," pp. 9-15.
83
The Problem of Pain
LESSON 10
❑
Tuesday
September 2
Part 3
GOD HELPS
AND DELIVERS
How were God's chosen people protected?
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from
death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for
the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall
rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let
thy mercy, 0 Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee"
(Ps. 33:18-22).
"Our God has heaven and earth at His command, and He
knows just what we need. We can see only a little way before us;
'but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with
whom we have to do.' Hebrews 4:13. Above the distractions of
the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine
survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that
which His providence sees
best."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 272,
273.
What assurance did Peter give to suffering Christians?
1 Peter 3:12-14.
Pain and suffering sometimes result from the hostility of
those who hate God and His people. This was especially obvi-
ous in Peter's time, but Peter recognized the keeping power of
God in times of stress and persecution.
Why may we approach God with confidence in time of need?
Heb. 4:14-16.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with
what you have; for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake
you.' Hence we can confidently say,
'The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid;
what can man do to me?' " (Heb. 13:5, 6, RSV).
THINK IT THROUGH
What close relation is there between confidence in God and
recovery from sickness?
"Because God's love is so great and so unfailing, the sick
should be encouraged to trust in Him and be cheerful. To be
anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and dis-
ease. If they will rise above depression and gloom, their pros-
pect of recovery will be better."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 229.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 272-278.
84
The Problem of Pain
LESSON 10
❑
Wednesday
September 3
Part 4
In an illustration referring to members of the body, what
HELPING close relationship does Paul teach exists between the mem-
ONE ANOTHER bers of the church?
"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is
honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26, RSV).
There are at least three phases in the mission of the church:
(1) to carry the gospel to the world; (2) to provide for the worship
of God, and (3) to provide Christian fellowship. This fellowship
involves more than seeing each other on Sabbath mornings; it
also includes such a complete identification of one church
member with another that "if one member suffers, all suffer
together."
It is comforting to know that if some accident or illness should
befall me, my brothers and sisters in the church would be
concerned. If some great crisis should occur in my life, my
church would have words of comfort. God has ordained this
caring function of the church.
What is James's definition of true religion? James 1:27.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it important for Christians to have the poor and
suffering in their midst?
"God has placed among us the poor, the unfortunate, the
sick, and the suffering. They are Christ's legacy to His church,
and they are to be cared for as He would care for them. In this
way God takes away the dross and purifies the gold, giving us
that culture of heart and character which we need. . . .
"In placing among us the poor and the suffering, the Lord is
testing us to reveal to us what is in our hearts. We cannot with
safety swerve from principle, we cannot violate justice, we can-
not neglect mercy. When we see a brother falling into decay we
are not to pass him by on the other side, but are to make decided
and immediate efforts to fulfil the word of God by helping him....
"It should be written upoli the conscience as with a pen of
iron upon a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion,
and righteousness, he who neglects the poor, who ignores the
needs of suffering humanity, who is not kind and courteous, is
so conducting himself that God cannot co-operate with him in
the development of character."—Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 261,
262.
In Romans 12:15 Paul said, "Rejoice with them that do re-
joice, and weep with them that weep." God has given us a part in
solving the problem of pain. The encouraging word, the sooth-
ing touch, the unselfish ministry—these are God's appointed
means of lightening the burdens of life.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 6, pp. 261-268.
85
The Problem of Pain
LESSON 10
❑
Thursday
September 4
Part 5
What is Paul's description of his experience with hardship?
PAIN WITH
COURAGE
"We are hard-pressed on all sides, but we are never frus-
trated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are perse-
cuted, but are never deserted: we may be knocked down but
we are never knocked out!" (2 Cor. 4:8, 9, Phillips).
"To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad
and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our
own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we
endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate" (1 Cor. 4:11-13,
RSV).
The Christian understands the reason for pain and suffering.
He knows there will be an ultimate solution.
Through pain—His own, His Son's, His people's—it became
clear that "God with man was working out the world's redemp-
tion, and that there was no other way; that, in a sense, the
endless moan of man's pain was the song of a world being
redeemed, a sad song as yet, but still music, working toward
some worthy and wondrous climax beyond all human capability
of thought."—Leslie D. Weatherhead,
Why Do Men Suffer?
(New York: The Abingdon Press, 1936), p. 12.
Why does the Christian face pain with courage? 2 Cor. 2:14.
Further, the Christian understands that "evil must be permit-
ted to come to maturity. For the good of the entire universe
through ceaseless ages Satan must more fully develop his prin-
ciples, that his charges against the divine government might be
seen in their true light by all created beings, that the justice and
mercy of God and the immutability of His law might forever be
placed beyond all question."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 499.
THINK IT THROUGH
What examples and principles enable the Christian to en-
dure trials and suffering?
"God's chosen servants should meet with courage and pa-
tience the trials and sufferings that befall them ... , ever remem-
bering that the prophets of old and the Saviour of mankind and
His apostles also endured abuse and persecution for the Word's
sake."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 437.
"Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not
consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindli-
ness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of
courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ
marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and
press on through difficulties and discouragements requires
men who are more than weaklings."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 497.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"Rejoicing in the Lord," pp. 125, 126.
86
The Problem of Pain
LESSON 10
❑
Friday
September 5
Part 6
PAIN
WILL END
What promise is given to the redeemed?
"God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed
away" (Rev. 21:4).
"Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be
no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. . . .
'The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell
therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.' .. . Isaiah 33:24."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 676.
"From India, from Africa, from China, from the islands of the
sea, from the downtrodden millions of so-called Christian
lands, the cry of human woe is ascending to God. That cry will
not long be unanswered."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
p. 179.
What did Paul conclude from a comparison of life in the
present and that in the kingdom? Rom. 8:18-21.
Phillips translates verse 19 thus: "The whole creation is on
tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into
their own."
"In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has
tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they become
conquerors. They bore witness to the power of One mightier
than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they
cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can
incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they cannot
bind the spirit."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 576.
"All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the
world to come be made plain.... We shall know that infinite love
ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize
the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for
our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
glory."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 286.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is hope an important characteristic of the Christian?
There are many in our world who consider life hopeless,
meaningless, absurd. As a result, they live only for the present
moment. The theology of the Bible is a theology of hope, and
that hope is not limited to the present life. Unending freedom
from pain is one of the rewards of the redeemed.
Regardless of the pain, suffering, or misfortune that may dog
our footsteps, we can with assurance say, "This, too, will pass."
And throughout all the checkered experience of life "we know
that in everything God works for good with those who love him"
(Rom. 8:28, RSV).
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 676-678.
87
LESSON 11 September 7-13
E
ith2 0
-
02E[lear
"Is any sick among you? let him call
for the elders of the church; and let
them pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord: and
the prayer of faith shall save the sick,
and the Lord shall raise him up; and if
he have committed sins, they shall be
forgiven him. Confess your faults one
to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much" (James 5:14-16).
One of Job's major problems was
physical illness. The record says,
"Satan left the Lord's presence and
made sores break out all over Job's
body" (Job 2:7, TEV). Job refers to his
physical suffering in chapter 7, verses
3 through 5:
"Month after month I have nothing
to live for;
night after night brings me grief.
When I lie down to sleep, the hours
drag;
I toss all night and long for dawn.
My body is full of worms;
it is covered with scabs;
pus runs out of my sores" (TEV).
And again, ' At night my bones all
ache; the pain that gnaws me never
stops" (Job 30:17, TEV).
Job was one of millions who have
suffered physical pain. The alleviation
of human suffering has become a
gigantic enterprise. Yet suffering
continues to make life hard for the
human race.
The ministry of Jesus brought hope
for the sufferer. One of His main
activities was the healing of the sick.
"Whithersoever he entered, into
villages, or cities, or country, they laid
the sick in the streets, and besought
him that they might touch if it were but
the border of his garment: and as
many as touched him were made
whole" (Mark 6:56).
The apostles of Jesus received
power to continue this healing
ministry, and it became an important
function of the early church. It is listed
as one of the gifts of the Spirit.
In our present day, much is said
about "faith healing." Popular books
by faith healers recount story after
story of successful healings. Other
observersjpoint to a much larger
number of attempted but
unsuccessful "cures."
The purpose of this lesson is to
survey the concept of divine
healing—or faith healing as it is often
called—and to endeavor to come to an
understanding of this subject that will
be useful to Christians in our day.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
God's Investment in Man
(Gen. 1:26; 2:7)
2.
God's Desire to Heal
(1 Cor. 12:28)
3.
Faith and Healing
(James 5:15)
4.
Love and Healing
(Matt. 20:30-34)
5.
Goodness and Healing
(James 5:16)
6.
A Gift of the Spirit
(1 Cor. 12:4, 8, 9)
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Sunday
September 7
Part 1
Why would God have a special interest in man?
GOD'S
INVESTMENT
"God said, Let us make man in our image, after our like-
IN MAN ness" (Gen. 1:26).
"The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a
living soul" (Gen. 2:7).
"The entire question of God's activity in healing man's body
rests on the great truth that God made man's body. If a person is
only an accident resulting from the interplay of impersonal
forces on this planet, the health of his body may likewise be
assumed to depend on purely physical factors. But if God was
the designer, it would be logical to believe that He might have a
continuing concern for the mechanism He perfected."—Norval
Pease,
Heal the Sick,
p. 4.
What provisions has God made for man's health?
1.
He equipped the body with effective defenses against dis-
ease and injury. Germs and viruses are destroyed; wounds heal;
broken bones grow together again. Defenses of all sorts are
built into the organism to ensure its survival.
2.
He gave men wisdom and skill in order that man's life
might be lengthened and that his suffering might be lessened.
Highly trained physicians and surgeons, sophisticated equip-
ment and efficient hospitals have brought a new security to
millions of people. In all this progress man has merely been
discovering and utilizing the resources placed in the world by
its Creator to protect His investment in man.
3.
God created an environment that provided the elements
necessary for survival and health. And man was given the intel-
ligence to know how to relate to his environment.
4.
God gave man good reasons to desire to live. One of these
reasons was the family. Another was the sense of community
among people. The greatest was the revelation of Himself.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is healing a miracle or a provision in nature that God has
made?
God has made His healing power available to men of faith to
meet needs that could not be met by natural resources. His
provision might be compared to a man who would invent a
complicated machine. After providing satisfactory housing,
adequate power source, and skilled operators, he might say, "If
it breaks down, let me know. Perhaps I can be of help."
God has made a tremendous investment in man. He is inter-
ested in the whole man, including his body. He says, "If it breaks
down, let me know. I can help."
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
pp. 225-233. (Basic to the week's
lesson.)
90
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Monday
September 8
part
2
What gift in the church indicates that God is interested in
GOD'S DESIRE
physical health?
TO HEAL
"God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second-
arily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts
of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues"
(1 Cor. 12:28).
Is God reluctant to heal? Sometimes it seems to us that this is
the case. But there is abundant evidence that God is really
anxious to heal. For example, God's concern for the health of
Israel indicates His desire that His people shall be free from
disease. Also, the large part that healing played in the ministry
of Jesus reinforces the same conclusion. Likewise, placing
"gifts of healings" in the list of gifts of the Spirit indicates that
a healthy body is one of God's priorities for His church.
What two actions of God does the psalmist mention to-
gether? Ps. 103:3.
The psalmist repeats what he knows from the writings of
Moses. (See Ex. 15:26.) God had promised the children of Israel
that if they kept His commandments He would preserve them
from the diseases that had fallen on the Egyptians'
It is interesting to note that God not only heals physical ail-
ments; He will heal the broken heart, the one whose love life has
gone awry. (See Ps. 147:3; compare the work of Jesus in Luke
4:18.)
We need to sense God's closeness to man. This closeness is
described in the Bible by some very expressive figures of
speech. "One such figure is the word 'shepherd.' ... [See Psalm
23.] How could language express more simply and more beauti-
fully the ideal relationship between man and God? And how
could the loving care of God be more forcefully described? If
God feels that way about us, surely He is concerned about the
things that concern us; and health is one of the most important
of those things.
"Again and again in the New Testament, God is referred to as
'Father.' Seventeen times in 'The Sermon of the Mount' and
twenty-eight times in John 14 this term is used. We cannot help
but understand how God feels about us. He must be concerned
about our physical illnesses. Any good father is concerned
when one of his children is ill. Surely God is no exception. God
has said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' [Heb. 13:5.]
This message brings encouragement in all kinds of cir-
cumstances. It should mean much to those who struggle with
illness."—Norval Pease,
Heal the Sick,
pp. 11, 12.
THINK IT THROUGH
If God wants to heal, why does He permit sickness?
FURTHER STUDY
3 John 2; Ex. 15:26; Ps. 103:1-5; Ps. 6:2-9.
91
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Tuesday
September 9
Part 3
What is the crucial element in divine healing?
FAITH AND
HEALING
"The prayer offered in faith will save the sick man, the Lord
will raise him from his bed" (James 5:15, NEB).
The healing ministry of Jesus illustrates the place of faith. The
healing miracles of Jesus might aptly be called "lessons in
faith," for in almost every case faith is mentioned in connection
with the miracle of healing. "According to your faith, be it unto
you" reflects the criterion Jesus used in imparting His gift of
health to mankind.
"Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was
during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for
every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples
in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old
prayed. And recoveries will follow; for 'the prayer of faith shall
save the sick.' We have the Holy Spirit's power, the calm assur-
ance of faith, that can claim God's promises. The Lord's prom-
ise, 'They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover'
(Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the
apostles. It presents the privilege of God's children, and our
faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ's servants are
the channel of His working, and through them He desires to
exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and
suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them
to believe in the Great Healer."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 226.
What important gift did Jesus give His disciples? Matt. 10:1;
Mark 6:13; Luke 9:1.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is this "faith" that brings healing?
"Some have compared faith to putting money in a bank,
trusting that it will be available when needed; to trusting the
pilot of an airplane to fly and land his plane safely; or to trusting
a surgeon with one's life. Actually, these examples describe
reasoning based on evidence. We have observed that bankers,
pilots, and surgeons are generally trustworthy, so we feel jus-
tified in placing our confidence in them. . . .
"But faith is more. . . .
Faith is the upraised hand by which we
receive the gifts of God.
These gifts are varied. They may in-
clude forgiveness, strength, insight, salvation, happiness, eter-
nal life. The Bible also makes it very clear that one of these gifts,
received by faith, is healing."—Norval Pease,
Heal the Sick,
pp.
23, 24.
FURTHER STUDY
Mark 2:1-12; 5:22-43; 9:14-20; Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54;
5:1-15; 9:1-41.
92
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Wednesday
September 10
Part 4
LOVE AND
HEALING
How did Jesus respond to a request for healing from two
blind men?
"Behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they
heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on
us, 0 Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked
them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the
more, saying, Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, thou Son of David.
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye
that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes
may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and
touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received
sight, and,they followed him" (Matt. 20:30-34).
Jesus healed people because He loved them. His heart was
filled with pity and sympathy which found expression in acts of
mercy and healing. Note four occasions of compassionate re-
sponse: (1) people mourning (Luke 7:13), (2) a man afflicted by
leprosy (Mark 1:41), (3) people wandering around like sheep
without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36), and (4) hungry people (Matt.
15:32).
"The power of love was in all Christ's healing, and only by
partaking of that love, through faith, can we be instruments for
His work."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 825.
How should Christians react in their contact with other
people? Zech. 7:9; Rom. 12:15; 1 Peter 3:8.
"Can it be that we ought to change our questions regarding
healing? Rather than asking, 'Do I have faith enough?'—which
is a
good
question—perhaps we should ask, 'Do I have love
enough?' which may be a
better
question.
"In this context we can see an inherent weakness in public
'faith healing' meetings. The 'healer' does not know the line of
people who, one by one, are coming to the platform to be
healed. Those who seek healing do not personally know the
'healer.' ... Any genuine, effective love is hard to imagine under
these circumstances. . . .
"Whatever the circumstance, the 'elders of the congregation'
are more likely to pray with the 'power of love' than would a
stranger. God knew what He was doing when He suggested the
manner of prayer for the sick. He was concerned that love
should be the motivation of prayers for healing."—Norval
Pease,
Heal the Sick,
pp. 20, 21.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the connection between love, faith, and healing?
Love opens the channels for healing. Love urges that some-
thing be done. It is God who heals, not love. But love explores
every channel that can bring healing and saving health.
93
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Thursday
September 11
Part 5
What is implied in James 5:16 about the importance of the
GOODNESS character of the person who prays?
AND HEALING
"A good man's prayer is powerful and effective" (James
5:16, NEB).
"Before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-
examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be
repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul
before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the
merits of the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will
accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a
wrong course of
action."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p. 146.
"Great character is essential to great praying. A man with a
small, mean, self-indulgent life cannot genuinely offer a noble
prayer._ In any man's entreaty, no matter how great the words,
only that much is real which is the expression of his character,
the inward quality and habitual desire of his life."—Harry Emer-
son Fosdick,
The Meaning of Prayer,
p. 138.
What does this tell us about our prayers for the sick?
"Some close heart-searching is appropriate before we com-
ply with the Biblical command to pray for the sick. Does our
conscience tell us that we have personal problems that must be
solved before we can presume to ask God to work a miracle? Do
we have a sufficiently vital concern about the person who needs
healing so that we can pray with real feeling? Do we have the
dedication necessary so that God can work through us to ac-
complish important things without our seeking the credit for
what God does? How deeply is our ego involved in it all? Are we
willing to venture in faith, and do we know how to relate to
unanswered prayer?
"The small amount of healing among Christians may suggest,
in part, that we are not yet mature enough to know how to
handle such a responsibility. Better people will pray more
powerful and effective prayers, and more sick people will be
healed."—Norval Pease,
Heal the Sick,
p. 31.
THINK IT THROUGH
What, then, is the great challenge to the church?
Matthew 17 records the experience of nine of Jesus' disciples
when they were unable to heal a demon-possessed boy at the
foot of the Mount of Transfiguration. Their faith was weak be-
cause they were harboring jealousy, discouragement, and per-
sonal grievances. The devil was too much for them because of
their own deficiencies. "In order to succeed in such a conflict
they must come to work in a different spirit.. . . They must be
emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power of
God."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 431.
FURTHER STUDY
Matt. 17:9-21.
94
God the Healer
LESSON 11
❑
Friday
September 12
Part 6
A GIFT OF
THE SPIRIT
THINK IT THOUGH
What is the source of the gift of healing?
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another
faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the
same Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:4, 8, 9).
How does the Holy Spirit work? The Holy Spirit, as described
and defined in Scripture, is God the Counselor, Comforter, and
Helper of every Christian. God the Father is the Creator and
Sustainer; God the Son is the Saviour and Redeemer; God the
Holy Spirit is God standing by the side of people.
When the Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost, cloven tongues
as of fire sat upon "each of them" (Acts 2:3). This was the
beginning of a broader ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The work of the Holy Spirit resulted in "love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- .
ance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). In addition to giving character, the Holy
Spirit gave mission. This mission is outlined in the gifts of the
Spirit, one of which is healing. This ability to restore health is a
gift bestowed by the same Holy Spirit who gave other people
wisdom, ability to communicate, faith, miraculous powers, and
the gift of prophecy.
Does the gift of healing preclude the work of a physician?
How may the gift of healing be performed? The New Testament
permits us to conclude that this gift of healing was expressed in
more than one way. There was Luke, the physician, who ac-
companied Paul. Who is to say that he did not possess the gift of
healing as well as Peter and John who commanded a lame man
to walk? James directed that the elders of the church should
pray for the sick man, "anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord." Here is a picture of a common remedy in New Testament
times, "oil" being applied by representatives of the church,
made effective by "the prayer of faith."
The New Testament world had few facilities for the care and
healing of the sick. But the "Comforter," who came in harmony
with Jesus' promise, was concerned about those who were
suffering. There weren't enough physicians like Luke to meet
the need, so the Spirit enabled people who were not physicians
to perform the healing ministry. The objective was to do away
with suffering.
What application does this have today? The Spirit still works
through natural means to restore health. But the same Spirit
may also work through the earnest prayers of Christians to
invoke God's healing power.
FURTHER STUDY
John 14:16-26.
95
71
LESSON 12 September 14-20
IE
ig 5cou
-
n2
AIT2
Urlit
HEE3002t1
"I was given a sharp physical pain
rhich
came as Satan's messenger to
ruise me; this was to save me from
eing unduly elated. Three times I
egged the Lord to rid me of it, but his
nswer was: 'My grace is all you need;
ower comes to its full strength in
'eakness' " (2 Cor. 12:7-9, NEB).
"There are cases where God works
ecidedly by His divine power in the
storation of health. But not all the
ck are healed. Many are laid away to
eep in Jesus. John on the Isle of
atmos was bidden to write: 'Blessed
re the dead which die in the Lord
om henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit,
iat they may rest from their labors;
nd their works do follow them.
evelation 14:13. From this we see that
persons are not raised to health, they
hould not on this account be judged
s wanting in faith."—The
Ministry of
!ealing,
p. 230.
Job's experience is an eloquent
xample of unanswered prayer. He
ried "Why won't God give me what I
ask? Why won't he answer my prayer?"
(Job 6:8, TEV). And again, "I call to
you, 0 God, but you never answer;
and when I pray, you pay no attention"
(Job 30:20, TEV). Job's problem was
that he didn't have the information we
have in the first and second chapters
of the book of Job. He was flying blind.
He didn't know that every syllable of
his prayers was being heard by a loving
God, and would eventually be
answered.
The Bible is full of unanswered
prayers. "Moses prays to enter the
Promised Land, but dies on Nebo's
top, his request refused. In the midst
of national calamity the patriot lifts his
Lamentation, 'Thou hast covered
thyself with a cloud, so that no prayer
can pass through' (Lam. 3:44); and the
prophet Habakkuk in his
despondency exclaims, '0 Jehovah,
how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not
hear?' (Hab. 1:2). Paul prays thrice that
a vexatious, physical handicap, a
'thorn in the flesh, which hinders his
missionary labors, may be removed;
but for the rest of his life he is
compelled to make the best of it and
let it make the best of him (II Cor.
12:9). Even the Master in the Garden
prays for release from the appalling
cup, but goes out to drink it to the
dregs."—Harry Emerson Fosdick,
The
Meaning of Prayer,
pp. 116, 117.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Universality of Death
(Heb. 9:27)
2.
God Knows Best
(Isa. 55:8, 9)
3.
God's Unexpected Ways
(Phil. 4:19)
4.
Acting Rationally
(James 1:5)
5.
Learning From Suffering
(2 Cor. 1:3, 4)
6.
Persisting in Prayer
(Rom. 12:12)
Why Some Are
Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Sunday
September 14
Part 1
In our consideration of divine healing, what fact must we
UNIVERSALITY face?
OF DEATH
"Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God"
(Heb. 9:27, TEV).
We must never forget that as long as we are in this world we
must accept the hazards that are a part of life in this world. The
Christian is subject to accident, disease, and death. With a very
few exceptions in history, every person born into this world has
died; and most of the inhabitants of this world have known
illness to a greater or lesser extent. While the prayers of faith
may, at times, result in healing sickness and delaying death, the
grim reaper finally takes his toll. God's plan for eternal health
and life is dependent on the resurrection into a new life, not on
the indefinite continuation of this present life.
So far as we know, all the people whom Jesus and the apos-
tles raised to life or healed eventually died. Lazarus retraced the
pathway to the tomb. Dorcas finally laid down her burdens.
Blind Bartimaeus eventually closed his eyes in death.
Why are not Christians exempt from sickness and death?
When Jesus came to this world to redeem man, He became
subject to death. He identified Himself with all of mankind. His
followers, likewise, must incur the same limitations of mortality
as the rest of mankind; otherwise they could neither properly
sympathize or effectively witness. Jesus not only suffered
for
man; He suffered
with
man. Christians suffer with the rest of the
world, but their suffering is tempered by hope.
Think of the millions of "rice Christians
-
who would storm the
gates of the church if Christianity were a guaranteed means of
curing all disease and delaying imminent death. It is not God's
intention that His kingdom should be advanced in this way.
Christians will continue to suffer and die until their Lord comes,
but with comfort and hope.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I rise above misfortune, sickness, and death?
"A local preacher was addressing an open-air meeting in
Bristol. He was trying to make the point that Christ is the answer
to all our problems, and the solution of all our troubles.... Then
a great fellow at the back began to heckle, and shouted out. '
Go and talk to the unemployed like that, and see what they say.'
There was no answer, until a man very near the front stood out
and said, '
I am unemployed, and I am very poor, and I have a
wife and three children, but if you take Jesus Christ out of my
life, I have nothing left. He is greater than my poverty, and I love
him.' "—Leslie D. Weatherhead,
Why Do Men Suffer?
(New
York: The Abingdon Press, 1936), p. 21.
FURTHER STUDY
Counsels on Health,
p. 376.
98
Why Some Are Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Monday
September 15
Part 2
Why should we submit to God's ways and not insist on ours?
GOD KNOWS
BEST
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:8, 9).
"We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers,
and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is
delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise
and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in
just the manner we desire. He will do more and better for us than
to accomplish all our wishes. And because we can trust His
wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to our will,
but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. Our
desires and interests should be lost in His will. These experi-
ences that test faith are for our benefit. By them it is made
manifest whether our faith is true and sincere, resting on the
word of God alone, or whether depending on circumstances, it
is uncertain and changeable. . . .
"Not all understand these principles. Many who seek the
Lord's healing mercy think that they must have a direct and
immediate answer to their prayers or their faith is defective. For
this reason, those who are weakened by disease need to be
counseled wisely, that they may act with discretion. They should
not disregard their duty to the friends who may survive them, or
neglect to employ nature's agencies for the restoration of
health."—The
Ministry of Healing,
pp. 230, 231.
What should be the prayer of the Christian? Matt. 6:10.
THINK IT THROUGH
How did Jesus set the example of asking that God's will be
done? Matt. 26:42.
"The consistent course is to commit our desires to our all-
wise heavenly Father, and then, in perfect confidence, trust all
to Him. We know that God hears us if we ask according to His
will. But to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not
right; our prayers must take the form, not of command, but of
intercession."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 230.
Why are some people afraid of praying, "Thy will be done"?
Is it reasonable for us to suppose that God's will for us is
different from what we would choose for ourselves if we knew
what God knows?
FURTHER STUDY
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 13; 2:1-4.
99
Why Some Are
Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Tuesday
September 16
Part 3
What is the measure by which God provides for us?
GOD'S
UNEXPECTED
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
WAYS glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
God does nth answer our prayers according to our wants, but
according to our real needs. This means that He sometimes
answers our prayers in ways we could not anticipate.
"St. Augustine pictures his mother, Monica, praying all one
night, in a sea-side chapel on the north African coast, that God
would not let her son sail for Italy. She wanted Augustine to be a
Christian. She could not endure losing him from her influence.
If under her care, he was still far from being Christ's, what would
he
be
in Italy, home of licentiousness and splendor, of manifold
and alluring temptations? And even while she prayed there
passionately for her son's retention at home, he sailed, by the
grace of God, for Italy, where, persuaded by Ambrose, he be-
came a Christian in the very place from which his mother's
prayers would have kept him. The form of her petition was
denied; the substance of her desire was granted. As St. Augus-
tine himself puts it: 'Thou, in the depth of thy counsels, hearing
the main point of her desire, regardest not what she
then asked,
that thou mightest make me what she ever
desired.'
It would be
a sorry world for all of us, if our unwise petitions did not often
have 'No' for their answer."—Harry Emerson Fosdick,
The
Meaning of Prayer,
pp. 119, 120.
Why should we be careful not to insist on having our own
way? Rom. 8:26, 27.
In our weakness we do not know what to ask for. We do not
know God's will in every circumstance, and therefore we must
trust God to take our prayers and interpret them for the good of
all. How fortunate we are that our God does not always grant our
requests but performs for us that which we cannot do for our-
selves. And He transforms our petitions into prayers that are in
harmony with His will.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why should we always trust God absolutely?
"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face."
—William Cowper
The Church Hymnal,
no. 84.
100
Why Some Are
Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Wednesday
September 17
Part 4
What is a basic request we should make of God?
ACTING
RATIONALLY
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him"
(James 1:5).
Sometimes when we pray for health, what we really need is
wisdom so we will know how to preserve our health.
"He [God]
is
the Author of laws that when violated bring
trouble and pain. These bodies of ours are very obedient to the
laws of CAUSE AND EFFECT. . . .
"How can I distinguish between true and false healing? ...
"Does the healer tell those who come to be healed that their
illness may be the result of their own disregard of nature's laws?
Does he teach them how to cooperate with these laws in the
future?
"Does the healer tell his people about the healing power of
sunlight
as it is allowed to shower its radiant energy over body
and soul?
"Does he tell them of the healing potential of ordinary
water—skillfully,
scientifically, generously used, inside and
out?
"Does he tell men and women how to take a tip from their
heart and
rest
between the beats?
"Does he tell them about pure, fresh
air,
God's air-
conditioning system for body and mind? Air means oxygen, and
oxygen means life.
"Does the healer explain what happens to someone when he
neglects
exercise?
Does he explain that we must keep our
nerves in balance—that unless we balance mental activity with
physical exercise, sooner or later the mainspring will snap? A
brisk walk each day is cheaper and far more interesting than a
nervous breakdown.
"And does the healer say a word about diet—those fruits,
grains, nuts, and vegetables that the Creator chose for the
human race?"—George Vandeman, "What Faith Healers Don't
Tell You,"
Signs of the Times,
December 1971.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is the use of intelligence a denial of faith?
"The human agent should have faith and should co-operate
with the divine power, using every facility, taking advantage of
everything that, according to his intelligence, is beneficial,
working in harmony with natural laws; and in doing this he
neither denies nor hinders faith."—Counsels
on Health,
p. 382.
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 2, pp. 53, 54.
101
Why Some Are Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Thursday
September 18
Part 5
LEARNING
FROM
SUFFERING
What may be a benefit of passing through times of trouble?
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who com-
forteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Cor. 1:3, 4).
How often we remark that affliction has "mellowed" some
friend or acquaintance! Abrasive, objectionable traits of charac-
ter have disappeared in the fires of sorrow and suffering.
"I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith, and love and ev'ry grace,
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
"Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
And he I know has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair."
—Olney Hymns
Quoted by Harry Emerson Fosdick,
The Meaning of Prayer,
p. 112.
What benefits does James say we can gain from facing
trials? James 1:2, 4.
Facing trials successfully matures a person. It teaches us to
hate sin, and to help others overcome their trials.
If we were delivered miraculously from all sickness, how
could we sympathize with the sufferer? Only when we have felt
the scourge of pain can we understand what another person is
experiencing. The person who looks death in the face may
learn something about life that he could learn in no other way.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does helping others in their sorrow often help us?
"Often prayer is solicited for the afflicted, the sorrowful, the
discouraged; and this is right. We should pray that God will
shed light into the darkened mind and comfort the sorrowful
heart. But God answers prayer for those who place themselves
in the channel of His blessings. While we offer prayer for these
sorrowful ones, we should encourage them to try to help those
more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled
from their own hearts as they try to help others. As we seek to
comfort others with the comfort wherewith we are comforted,
the blessing comes back to us."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p.
256.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Peter 1:6,
7;
4:12-16.
102
Why Some Are
Not Healed
LESSON 12
❑
Friday
September 19
Part 6
Should we continue praying for those in sickness and dis-
PERSISTING tress?
IN PRAYER
"Let hope keep you joyful; in trouble stand firm; persist in
prayer" (Rom. 12:12, NEB).
Suppose a Christian becomes seriously ill. And suppose the
biblical instruction is followed—the elders of the church are
called in, the sick person is anointed, and earnest prayers are
offered for his recovery. But nothing happens. The illness con-
tinues and worsens. Should prayers cease? The leaders of the
church, his friends, his family should
keep on praying.
They
should pray that God will help him in his trouble, and that his
faith may not fail. As long as life lasts, the possibility remains
that God may see best to intervene in his behalf; and if death
comes, those who have prayed should
not
feel that their prayers
have been in vain.
What explanation did Jesus give when the disciples were
unable to cast a devil out? Matt. 17:19-21.
Prayer is more than a repetition of a formula. Prayer involves
the whole soul in a whole relationship with God, one of absolute
trust and confidence. Prayer does not insist on one solution to
the problem, the one we would like, but the one that would bring
honor and glory to God. True prayer is always consistent with
God's will.
Sometimes we neglect prayer because we become preoc-
cupied with other duties and activities. We need to reorder our
priorities.
Sometimes we neglect prayer because we lose our sense of
the presence of God. We have prayed and prayed and nothing
has seemed to happen. We need then to remember that God still
loves us, and also those for whom we pray.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it dangerous to neglect prayer? (See 1 Thess. 5:17.)
"The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to
pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to
sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges
that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.
Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray,
when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's
storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of
Omnipotence?"—Steps
to Christ,
pp. 94, 95.
Our afflicted friends never need our prayers more than during
long days, weeks, months, and perhaps years while disease and
pain are ravaging their lives.
FURTHER STUDY
Steps to Christ,
"The Privilege of Prayer," pp. 93-104; Phil.
1:4; Rom. 1:9; 1 Thess. 1:2; Eph. 1:16; Philemon 4.
103
.
LESSON 13 September 21-27
-
171
-
n2
51.aff2Erfing5
.112m.115
"Consider him who endured from
iners such hostility against himself,
that you may not grow weary or
int-hearted. In your struggle against
i
you have not yet resisted to the
)int of shedding your blood" (Heb.
:3, 4, RSV).
In a very real sense, Job was a type of
e suffering Saviour, and his
perience was an example of the
introversy between Christ and
tan.
"Very early in the history of the
Drld is given the life record of one
)b] over whom this controversy of
tan's was
waged."—Education,
p.
5.
It is altogether appropriate, at the
3se of this series of lessons, to take a
ok at the great Sufferer of whom Job
is a type.
"Christ's situation and Job's are
uch alike. Job on his ash heap, Christ
His cross. Job bears the pain and
e public reproach of black leprosy,
Irist of crucifixion. Each is
rrounded by a jeering, irresponsible
bble. . . .
"Christ suffers the same unjust
sapproval of the mob, 'His
pearance was . . . marred.' Isaiah
:14. So each man, Job and the
aster, is accused of evil on the basis
at his physical condition testifies to
raven's condemnation. . . . -
"Like the mob which followed
Irist to His trial and to His
ucifixion, the people about Job exult
the opportunity to mistreat a
perior. . . .
. . When Job intervenes for his
ree
friends, who have augmented
sorrow as we sinners grieve our
ediator, his action becomes a high
Duntain of evidence that he is a type
of Christ.... Job is
a
mediator; Christ
is
the
Mediator.
"Job's willingness to pray for his
opponents climaxes his
demonstration of loyalty to God. The
accusations of these men have been
salt in his wounds. At the close of the
ordeal his prayer in their behalf
foreshadows the Saviour's prayer from
the cross, 'Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do.' Luke
23:34. Thus Job prays for his
persecutors ."—Pau IT. Gibbs,
Job
and
the
Mysteries of Wisdom,
pp. 138-140.
In our lesson this week we look at
Jesus to see the suffering He passed
through while achieving our salvation.
He left heaven and came down to this
earth to become a man and to live as a
man.
He came to His own creation, to His
own chosen people; yet He was
rejected and despised. And in
Gethsemane He suffered the
separation from His Father.
On the cross we have the supreme
example of sacrifice. When we
recognize that Jesus did all this so that
you and I can be saved, our hearts melt
in love. The suffering that Jesus
endured for us is called to mind by the
feet-washing service and the bread
and wine of the Lord's Supper.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
God's Son Became Man
(Gal. 4:4, 5)
2.
God's Son Lived As Man
(Heb. 2:16, 17)
3.
God's Son Suffered and
Died As Man
(John 1:11)
4.
Symbol of Humiliation
(John 13:12)
5.
Symbol of a Body
(Luke 22:19)
6.
Symbol of Blood
(Luke 22:20)
The Sufferings of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Sunday
September 21
Part 1
GOD'S SON
BECAME MAN
What steps did God take to make us His sons?
"When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his
Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them
that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of
sons" (Gal. 4:4, 5).
God made a sacrifice in sending His Son. The Son made a
sacrifice in becoming man and submitting to the indignities of
those who should have known better.
"This was a voluntary sacrifice. Jesus might have remained at
the Father's side. He might have retained the glory of heaven,
and the homage of the angels. But He chose to give back the scep-
ter into the Father's hands, and to step down from the throne of
the universe, that He might bring light to the benighted, and life
to the perishing."—The
Desire of Ages,
pp. 22, 23.
"In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to hu-
manity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal
ages He is linked with us. 'God so loved the world, that He gave
His only-begotten Son.' John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear
our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen
race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave
His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family,
forever to retain His human nature."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 25.
As Paul describes what Jesus was willing to do for us, what
does he say our attitude should be? Phil. 2:3-8.
"Oh, if the human mind were only to comprehend—in such
measure as the plan of salvation
can
be comprehended by finite
minds—the work of Jesus in taking upon Himself human nature,
and what is to be accomplished for us by this marvelous con-
descension, the hearts of men would be melted with gratitude
for God's great love, and in humility they would adore the divine
wisdom that devised the mystery of
grace!"—Testimonies,
vol.
5, p. 749.
THINK IT THROUGH
What would happen in my life if I really understood the
incarnation?
"Paul was convinced that if they [the Corinthians and others
who should read his epistle] could be brought to comprehend
the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, all self-
ishness would be banished from their lives."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
p. 333.
FURTHER STUDY
Luke 1:26-56; John 1:14; Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:9.
106
The Sufferings of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Monday
September 22
Part 2
GOD'S SON
LIVED
AS MAN
What change did Jesus experience in order to make recon-
ciliation for sin?
"He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him
the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to
be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make recon-
ciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:16, 17).
It is significant that Jesus did not come to the earth at the
beginning of passion week and go back to heaven at its close.
He spent more than 30 years on earth so that He might taste life
as well as death.
"Mark the humble life of the Son of God. He was 'a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief.' Behold His ignominy, His
agony in Gethsemane, and learn what self-denial is. Are we
suffering want? so was Christ, the Majesty of heaven. But His
poverty was for our sakes. Are we ranked among the rich? so
was He. But He consented for our sakes to become poor, that we
through His poverty might be made rich. In Christ we have
self-denial exemplified. His sacrifice consisted not merely in
leaving the royal courts of heaven, in being tried by wicked men
as a criminal and pronounced guilty, and in being delivered up
to die as a malefactor, but in bearing the weight of the sins of the
world. The life of Christ rebukes our indifference and coldness."
—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 407.
What characteristic of Jesus enables us to approach Him
with confidence? Heb. 4:15.
"As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For
this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our
experiences. 'In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto
His brethren.' Heb. 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus
did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the
power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was 'in all
points tempted like as we are.' Heb. 4:15. He endured every trial
to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no
power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met tempta-
tion, and overcame in the strength given Him from God."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 24.
THINK IT THROUGH
If by His death and life Jesus has given me eternal life, what
should I do with my life?
"We cannot equal the pattern; but we shall not be approved of
God if we do not copy it and, according to the ability which God
has given, resemble
it."—Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 549.
FURTHER STUDY
Heb. 2:9-18; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:7, 8.
107
The Sufferings of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Tuesday
September 23
Part 3
GOD'S SON
SUFFERED
AND DIED
AS MAN
What was the disappointing experience of Jesus when He
came to earth?
"He came to his own home, and his own people received
him not" (John 1:11, RSV).
The word "home" in the RSV has been supplied, but it has
been put there to bring out the difference that appears in the
Greek between the "his own" that He came to and the "his own"
who rejected Him. He came to the thing He had created, to that
over which He was Lord and by right had dominion. Yet the
people of His day whom He had created and chosen to be His
own were the ones who treated Him as a stranger and who
would not accept His works or testimony. Can you think of any
experience that would bring greater pain, disappointment, and
frustration? This rejection extended even to a disciple, Judas,
who betrayed Him.
What request did Jesus make as He knelt in the Garden of
Gethsemane? Matt. 26:39.
The fact that Jesus could offer this prayer is an indication that
He realized how hard it would be for Him to bear the cross. To
three of His disciples He said: "My soul is very sorrowful, even to
death" (verse 38, RSV).
What expression of mental anguish did Jesus utter on the
cross? Matt. 27:46.
"The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour
in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow
that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this
agony that His physical pain was hardly felt. . . .
. . . Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when
mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. . .
" ... No eye could pierce the gloom that surrounded the cross,
and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that enshrouded
the suffering soul of Christ."—The
Desire of Ages,
pp. 753, 754.
With what words of resignation did Jesus breathe His last?
Luke 23:46.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is it that can make suffering in our lives bearable?
Jesus
really
suffered. Job was a great sufferer, but Jesus was
the
great sufferer. We tend to forget how real and how intense
His sufferings were. And He suffered voluntarily. He chose to
suffer for you and me. It is this suffering that we memorialize as
we celebrate the Communion service.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp. 200-215.
108
The Sufferings
of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Wednesday
September 24
Part 4
"So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his gar-
SYMBOL OF ments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye
HUMILIATION what I have done to you?" (John 13:12).
What do you understand to be the meaning of Jesus' wash-
ing the disciples' feet?
There was no servant to perform the task of foot washing.
Each disciple waited for another to render this service.
"How was Christ to bring these poor souls where Satan would
not gain over them a decided victory? How could He show that a
mere profession of discipleship did not make them disciples, or
insure them a place in His kingdom? How could He show that it
is loving service, true humility, which constitutes real great-
ness? How was He to kindle love in their hearts, and enable
them to comprehend what He longed to tell them?
"The disciples made no move toward serving one another.
Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the
divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer
garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a
towel, and girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples
looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow. 'After
that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He
was girded.' This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter
shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the
unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.
"So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish
spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy
with them regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an
example they would never forget. His love for them was not
easily disturbed or quenched. He knew that the Father had
given all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and
went to God. He had a full consciousness of His divinity; but He
had laid aside His royal crown and kingly robes, and had taken
the form of a servant. One of the last acts of His life on earth was
to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant's part."—The
Desire of Ages,
pp. 644, 645.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the real significance of the foot-washing service?
"This ordinance is Christ's appointed preparation for the
sacramental service. While pride, variance, and strife for
supremacy are cherished, the heart cannot enter into fellowship
with Christ. We are not prepared to receive the communion of
His body and His blood. Therefore it was that Jesus appointed
the
memorial of His humiliation
to be first observed."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 650. (Emphasis supplied.)
FURTHER STUDY
John 13:1-17.
109
The Sufferings
of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Thursday
September 25
Part 5
What meaning did Jesus give to the bread at the Last Sup-
SYMBOL per?
OF A BODY
"He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).
It is so easy to forget! The things of the world clamor for our
undivided attention. The great reality of Christ and His cross
recedes into the background. The Lord's Supper should bring
these truths back into focus, and should cause us to rededicate
ourselves to our Lord and Master.
"The administration of the Sacrament was to keep before the
disciples the infinite sacrifice made for each of them individu-
ally as a part of the great whole of fallen humanity."—The
Desire
of Ages,
p. 659.
"The ordinances that point to our Lord's humiliation and
suffering are regarded too much as a form."—The
Desire of
Ages,
p. 660.
"As faith contemplates our Lord's great sacrifice, the soul
assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. . . .
"As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ's bro-
ken body and spilled blood, we in imagination join in the scene
of Communion in the upper chamber. We seem to be passing
through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore
the sins of the world. We witness the struggle by which our
reconciliation with God was obtained. Christ is set forth
crucified among us.
"Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully com-
prehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by
the Majesty of heaven."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 661.
Why is bread a fitting symbol of Christ? John 6:27, 32-35.
How does the bread represent suffering? 1 Cor. 11:24.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean to eat the bread of life?
"The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It
was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons;
by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the
people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the
word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and
teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifesta-
tion of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His
followers on the word. When His visible presence should be
withdrawn, the word must be their source of power. Like their
Master, they were to live 'by every word that proceedeth out of
the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 390.
FURTHER STUDY
John 6:32-58.
110
The Sufferings
of Jesus
LESSON 13
❑
Friday
September 26
Part 6
What meaning did Jesus give to the wine at the last Supper?
SYMBOL How did the wine represent suffering?
OF BLOOD
"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the
new testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke
22:20).
"That blood alone is efficacious. It alone can make propitia-
tion for our sins. It is the blood of the only-begotten Son of God
that is of value for us that we may draw nigh unto God, His blood
alone that taketh 'away the sin of the world.' "—Ellen G. White
Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 971.
What symbols did Jesus use to point out the only way to
eternal life? John 6:53-57. What did He mean? Verse 63.
"To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive
Him as a personal Saviour, believing that He forgives our sins,
and that we are complete in Him. It is by beholding His love, by
dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partak-
ers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be to the
soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes
a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not
know Him as a personal Saviour. A theoretical knowledge will
do us no good. We must feed upon Him, receive Him into the
heart, so that His life becomes our life. His love, His grace, must
be assimilated."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 389.
"To the holy Communion this scripture [John 6:54-57] in a
special sense applies. As faith contemplates our Lord's great
sacrifice, the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. That
soul will receive spiritual strength from every Communion. The
service forms a living connection by which the believer is bound
up with Christ, and thus bound up with the Father. In a special
sense it forms a connection between dependent human beings
and God."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 661.
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all."
—Isaac Watts
The Church Hymnal,
no. 118.
THINK IT THROUGH
What importance do the Scriptures give to the blood of
Jesus?
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin"
(1 John 1:7). Read also Rom. 5:9.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Cor. 11:20-34; Col. 1:9-29; Heb. 9:1-28.
111
tt
-
ggailh SuaYdefx/i19
Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Les-
sons for the fourth quarter of 1980 will be helped by the following outline in
studying the first two lessons. The title of the series is "Citizens of the
Kingdom."
First Lesson
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Memory Text, James 2:5.
1. How to Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1)
2.
Recognizing Our Responsibility (Matt. 5:17-20)
3.
The Kingdom of God Is Here (Luke 17:20, 21)
4.
Dimensions of the Kingdom-1 (John 1:11)
5.
Dimensions of the Kingdom-2 (Matt. 13:33)
6.
Two Sermons on the Mount (Ex. 20:19)
Second Lesson
THE POOR IN SPIRIT. Memory Text, Matt. 5:3.
1. Object of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11)
2. Blessed Are the Poor (Luke 6:20; Matt. 5:3)
3.
Good News to the Poor (Luke 4:18, 19)
4.
Those Invited to the Feast (Luke 14:21)
5.
Jesus, Our Example (2 Cor. 8:9)
6.
The Promise of the Kingdom (Matt. 5:3; James 2:5)
Lessons in Braille
The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in
Braille and 16
2
/
3
rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons
who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,
cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian
Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
'=N
Share an understanding Saviour with friends
or loved ones on the next "Community Guest
Day."
Invite them to Sabbath School and church,
and you might gain a friend for eternity.
onitnunity Guest Day—see your church calendar.
GUIDE
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some for children, GUIDE seems to bridge
generations year after year."
Jere D. Patzer
Youth Director
North Pacific Union Conference
INSIGHT
"I think the articles and editorials in INSIGF
contain important ideas for young people
are faced with making decisions on currer
often controversial, issues, and adopting r
principles by which to live.
"I appreciate INSIGHT's occasional journey!
into Adventist history, and reprints of Elle
White's articles from the YOUTH'S INSTRUC
We should be aware of our past and learn a
can from it.
"For me, INSIGHT is well worth the cost."
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Assistant Editor
ADVENTIST REVIEW
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA UNION
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